Hall of Fame
Lonnie Qualls emerged as one of the top all-around athletes Ozarks has seen, excelling in baseball, basketball and football. Qualls made his biggest impact on the gridiron where he was a four-time All-AIC First Team member as a running back. In 1954, he was named the AIC Back of the Year, received All-AIC Honorable Mention in baseball and basketball. In 1955, he would garner AIC Honorable Mention honors in basketball and baseball. Qualls amassed 2,106 career rushing yards and scored 182 points. Qualls then went on to a successful coaching career at Clarksville High School and College of the Ozarks. In 1960, Qualls was selected as the head coach of the West All-Star Football team in the Arkansas High School All-Star game. He led Clarksville’s Senior High football team to three district championships and a pair of undefeated seasons. At Ozarks, Qualls became the NAIA District 17 Baseball Coach of the Year in 1976. In 1990, Qualls ended his career after thirty-five years. He held coaching and teaching positions at Ozarks for 29 years, as well as coached football, baseball, tennis, bowling, soccer, and cross country in his tenure. In 2005, Ozarks’ baseball field was named “Lonnie R. Qualls Field” in his honor.
