By TODD FERTIG
TopSports.news
Tim Jankovich will enter the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame as part of the 2025 induction class with a unique perspective.
Many members of the hall entered representing either Kansas State University or the University of Kansas, beloved by one fan base, reviled by the other.
Jankovich is unique in that much of his resume – compiled over a playing and coaching career that spanned more than 50 years – is split between the state’s two major universities.
Former Kansas State star guard Tim Jankovich will be inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame on Aug. 2 at Washburn University. [Submitted photo/Kansas Sports Hall of Fame]
A native of Manhattan, Jankovich fulfilled his childhood dream when he played three seasons for the Wildcats – 1979-1982. Little did he suspect at the time that he would wind up on the KU bench for four seasons – 2003-2007 – as an assistant to Bill Self.
“How lucky does a person have to be to get to experience those two things?” Jankovich remarked. “Growing up, I loved Kansas State with all my heart. I was fortunate to get to play there. At the time, Ahearn Field House had to be one of the two or three toughest places in America to play. But then, years later, to go to the rival school and get to coach in Allen Fieldhouse, one of the other toughest places in America to play. That’s beyond what you could hope for.
“This will sound like a political statement, but I was one of the few people I knew growing up who didn’t hate KU. When we played, I wanted to beat them, but I didn’t have that hatred that a lot of my friends had. It was incredible to get to coach there, part of arguably the greatest college basketball program in history. To be in both of those arenas was one of the great experiences of my life.”
Jankovich is one of 10 individuals who will be inducted into the hall of fame in a ceremony at Washburn University on August 2. Although Jankovich spent a good portion of his career coaching in other states, being recognized in Kansas is particularly meaningful.
“Kansas is my home. I’ve always been really proud to be from there,” Jankovich said. “So, to be recognized back home is so special. It’s made me reflect on a whole lifetime in basketball starting as a little kid. It’s been wonderful to really rehash a lot of great times. And then to look at the people who’ve been inducted and the list of people going in this year, it doubled down on the impact that it had on me. It’s an incredible honor to be listed on the same page as them.
“You get honors and awards along the way and they’re great, but they do fade quickly. Then you’re on to the next one. This one is going to stay with me. It’s the most meaningful.”
Tickets for the Aug. 2 ceremony and lunch, which begin at 10 a.m., are available online at kshof.org.
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Kansas Sports Hall of Fame | hall of fame museums | Kansas The mission of the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame is to honor those that have contributed to the history of sports in Kansas and to educate and inspire the public regarding the value of athletics and Kansas athletic history by providing the requisite leadership and resources. kshof.org |
The event is at the Washburn University Union Ballroom at 1700 SW College Ave.
Jankovich earned a name for himself even before high school. He was recognized in Manhattan as the kid who dribbled blindfolded, shot thousands of shots and developed his skills anywhere a court was available. When he wasn’t practicing, he could be found working as a ballboy for K-State games.
“That Kansas work ethic – it felt like it was injected into me,'' Jankovich said. "When you grow up from third grade on going to Ahearn, serving as a ball boy for the visiting team, being in the huddles and going out on the court in Ahearn, to feel the power of those crowds, I couldn’t help but grow up incredibly motivated.
“So, I lived in the gym. One of the great benefits was that I had a great gym at Manhattan High and a great gym at Kansas State that I could practice in.”
Jankovich confessed his obsession for practice may have gone a little too far.
“Hopefully the statute of limitations has run out so that I can confess that I did, at an early age, learn how to break into the high school gym and the K-State gym. And I can promise you I put it to full use. I was never happier than when I was in the gym, and I was there almost all the time.”
A two-time All-State selection at Manhattan High, Jankovich led the Indians to the state tournament as a senior in 1977. By beating Liberal and FL Schlagle, the team advanced to the championship game, one of only two times the Indians have played for a title. Those hopes were dashed in a 67-66 loss to Highland Park.
“That loss will never go away,” Jankovich said. “One thing I’ve learned from reflecting recently is that it’s so much easier to remember the heartaches from your career – the tough losses and the bad games – those stay with you a lot longer than the great things. The recognition from the hall of fame is helping make those rough times seem not quite so rough.”
The most significant moment of Jankovich’s playing career stands out as an equally significant moment in the history of Kansas State basketball. He was the starting point guard on teams that reached the NCAA tournament three consecutive years. As such, he was credited with the assist on perhaps the biggest shot in Wildcat history – Rolondo Blackman’s buzzer-beater to defeat second-ranked Oregon State, which sent K-State to the Elite Eight in 1981.
K-State followed that up with a trip to the Sweet 16 the following year, Jankovich’s senior season. He finished his career in the top 10 in numerous statistical categories, including first in free throw percentage for a season at .917.
Tim Jankovich, a 2025 Kansas Sports Hall of Fame inductee, posted a 282-185 record as a Division I basketball coach before retiring at SMU. [Submitted photo/Kansas Sports Hall of Fame]
Upon graduation, Jankovich embarked upon a coaching career that spanned nearly 40 years. He served as an assistant at a host of schools, most notably Kansas State from 1984-1986 and KU from 2003-2007. His career included head coaching stints at North Texas, Illinois State and SMU.
Jankovich also was head coach at Hutchinson Community College from 1997 to 1999, going 50-14 and finishing third in the Jayhawk Conference each season.
Jankovich retired from SMU in 2022 with a Division I career record of 282-185.
“Coaching doesn’t allow you a lot of time for yourself, to do the things you enjoy,” Jankovich said. “That was a big part of why I retired. I had seen people go on and on coaching into their later years and then not get to enjoy the fruits of their labor.
"The goal was really to just try to enjoy every single day. So, I play a ton of tennis, play the guitar. I was in a really bad band years ago and I’m getting back to that. I haven’t had any calls to come join the Eagles or the Stones, but I am practicing a lot in case anyone needs a rhythm guitar player. I’ve taken up golf. It was something I had no time for when I was coaching. So that’s been a tremendous challenge to try to go from a beginner to really good. I promise you, that’s been a slow process.”
Jankovich credits his upbringing for much of what he achieved in his career.
“I had the greatest parents you could ever have,” Jankovich said. “My dad was the hardest worker I ever saw in my whole life. They were so supportive. Never pushy, but they instilled from a young age the importance of a work ethic. My life is a credit to the combination of a passion for basketball thanks to going to K-State games all my life with the understanding that worthwhile achievements will never be handed to you.”
