Highland Community College Athletic Hall of Fame
Inducted August 29, 1998
John Beverly Misse attended Highland Community College in 1906, then known as Highland University, a four year institution. The baseball team competed with local teams at that time, and was very successful, having undefeated seasons in 1910 and 1913. In 1907, John started his professional baseball career, ending his career in 1914, with the Saint Louis Terriers. He was considered the best shortstop in the Federal League during the years he played for the Terriers. John is listed in the Fifth Edition of Total Baseball (Official Encyclopedia of Major League Baseball) as having played ninety-nine games in the 1914 season with the Terriers, and that he had three hundred six at bats with sixty hits and twenty-eight runs.
John returned to Highland in 1915, and lived here the remainder of his life. He was a respected Highland businessman, being in the real estate business most of these years. During the 1930's, he remained active in baseball by coaching the Ban Johnson Sluggers at Marysville, Kansas, being co-owner of the St. Joseph Western Association Baseball Club (now the Saints) , and scouting for the Cleveland Indian Baseball Organization. John continued to donate time, work, and money to the athletic programs at Highland. He built the first section of bleachers at the ball park, assisted in recruiting student athletes, provided transportation to away games with his private vehicle, and made cash contributions to the athletic programs. John loved to attend games in all of the programs, and he assisted several young men in the opportunity of a major league try out. The community of Highland is indebted to John Beverly Misse for his devoted time to the projects for the betterment of the community and the welfare of the College.
