Jack Baer

Baer was the son of Herman and Anna Baer. He was a 1933 Shawnee High School graduate where he was an all-round athlete. He was offered a contract with the New York Yankees but opted to play football and baseball at the University of Oklahoma. He played centerfield for the Sooners. He also was a quarterback on the school's football team and set records as a punter and kicker. He was named All-Big Six. At one point, he held the record for field goals after booting a 47-yarder.

Baer served in the United States Navy as a lieutenant during World War II as a physical fitness instructor and played football at Del Monte Pre-Flight School.

Baer was the fourth head baseball coach at the University of Oklahoma, beginning his tenure in 1942 before he served in the U.S. Navy. During his tenure, Oklahoma won one national championship in 1951 when he's team won the College World Series, made five NCAA Tournament appearances, and won 6 conference titles. His team had a .529 winning percentage. He was the coach until he retired in 1968 when he worked in the football program as a scout and assistant coach and finally retiring as the equipment manager.

Baer died on March 9, 2002. He's buried in the IOOF Cemetery in Norman, Oklahoma.