Hall of Fame
The USD 413 Hall of Fame celebrates the distinguished achievements and contributions of Chanute High School alumni who have left a lasting impact on our community and beyond.
2025 Hall of Fame
Kent Frazell
Kent Frazell was a 1972 graduate of Iola High School where he was a 3 time letterwinner in Football and Track. He is the son of Georgia and (long time teacher and coach) Wendell Frazell. He was a quarterback and linebacker at IHS earning all conference honors in the fall of 1971. In track he was a standout pole vaulter. In 1972 he was recruited by Pittsburg State University to be a two sport athlete participating in Football and Track. Kent was a member of the Pittsburg State Football team from 1972-1976. In 1976, he was a starter for the Gorilla defense at free safety and earned conference player of the week honors in his senior campaign. He was married to Peggy Stine Frazell in 1976. Peggy was the ultimate coach's wife, supporting and taking care of business so Coach Frazell could do what he loved. The couple had three children together, Tara, Clete, and Curt.
In 1976, he was hired at Royster Middle School in Chanute to teach physical education where he worked for 39 years. His coaching career in USD 413 started in 1977 where he coached track for 21 years from 1977-1998. In 1978, he began his football coaching career at Chanute High School. He coached CHS football for 41 seasons and was the Head Coach at CHS from 1995-2002 totalling 8 years. The football team won the district championship in 2002. He resigned after the 2002 season to allow time to go watch his sons Clete and Curt play college football at Emporia State University. Kent began coaching wrestling at RMS in 1982, a position that he would hold for 33 years. He played a big role in the rise of Chanute wrestling in his years at Royster.
Kent Frazell’s impact in USD 413 was vast. Coach Frazell had a magnetic effect on his students and athletes. They just wanted to be around him and hear what he had to say. His knack for connecting with kids from all walks of life and backgrounds was his biggest strength. Many of the connections to his student athletes have been lifelong friendships that still last today. The loyalty and longevity Coach Frazell has given to the community of Chanute has been a blessing, and the community was lucky to have him walking the hallways, gyms, and fields of USD 413.
Paul Lindbald
Chanute native Paul Lindblad enjoyed a Major League career that included stops with the A’s Senators, Rangers, and Yankees. Lindblad was a member of 3 World Series Champion teams over his 14 seasons in the big leagues, winning 2 with the Oakland A’s and one with the New York Yankees in his final season.
Lindblad, who pitched from 1965 to 1978, was one of the most effective left-handed relievers during his 14 seasons in the big leagues. His 655 appearances were 7th most all time for a left handed reliever. An outstanding fielder, he set a major league record going 385 games without making an error.
Although he is most well known for his success on the baseball field, Lindblad was a great all around athlete at Chanute High School where he won a state championship in the javelin. He would continue his success at the Chanute Junior College by setting a school record in the javelin and earning a trip to the NJCAA Championships. He was also a member of the Panther’s basketball team while attending college from 1959-1961. Lindblad would sign a baseball scholarship to the University of Kansas after his time at Chanute Junior College, but would sign a professional contract with the Kansas City A’s before he had a chance to play for KU.
Jennifer Knapp
Jennifer Knapp is a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, author, speaker, and advocate, known for her musical talents and commitment to social causes. With a rich history spanning 2 decades, Knapp has left an indelible mark on the music industry.
Her career includes the remarkable achievement of selling over 1 million albums with her first three releases: the Gold-certified “Kansas” (1998), “Lay it Down” (2000), and “The Way I Am” (2001). Alongside this commercial success, Knapp has been honored with four Dove Awards and garnered 2 Grammy nominations.
Hailing from Chanute, Knapp’s musical journey has taken her across the globe, sharing stages with renowned artists like Jars of Clay and gracing the prestigious Lilith Fair Tour in 1999 and 2010. Her artistry has been lauded for its poignant exploration of the human experience intertwined with themes of spirituality.
Despite reaching the pinnacle of her career, Knapp embarked on a transformative hiatus in 2002, only to return 7 years later with a renewed sense of purpose and passion for music. Her comeback album “Letting Go” (2010), debuted at no. 73 on the Billboard Hot 200 Chart, marking a triumphant return to the spotlight.
In addition to her musical endeavors, Knapp is a trailblazer in advocacy, notably becoming the first major artist in the Christian music realm to openly discuss LGBTQ identity. This courageous stance sparked national dialogue and led to appearances on influential platforms like Larry King Live and the TEDx state. In 2012, she founded the nonprofit organization Inside Out Faith, dedicated to advocating for LGBTQ rights within faith communities.
Continuing to evolve as an artist and activist, Knapp recently completed a master’s degree in theological studies at Vanderbilt Divinity School, further solidifying her commitment to advancing social justice through music and discourse.
Jennifer Knapp’s multifaceted talents and unwavering dedication to advocacy make her a true Renaissance woman, inspiring audiences worldwide with her music and message of inclusivity and acceptance.
Carolyn Kensett
Graduated from Chanute High in 1971
High School: Her Senior year was the first Season ever for Chanute High School Girls Tennis. She went 18-0 that year and she never dropped a game the entire regular season, she won them all 6-0,6-0. She was the league Champion that year and the Regional Champion going 6-0,6-0 the whole way through. She went into the State Tournament the 3 Seed overall behind girls from Shawnee Mission South and Wichita Southeast. During this time 4A and 5A were together and there was not a 6A yet. In the Semi-finals she defeated SMS 6-1, 6-1 and then in the finals vs Wichita Southeast she impressively dominated 6-2, 6-3 to earn a State Championship and the only Individual State Championship in CHS Women’s Tennis History. She was also selected as the Female Representative Athlete for CHS that year.
College: She went on to play at Arizona State 1971-1972. After a huge set-back from a life-threatening illness she was away from the game for a while. She returned to Park College in Kansas City for her sophomore year in 1974 using Tennis to get back in shape and work on her game after the time away. She then transferred to Pittsburg State (then called Kansas State College of Pittsburg) in 1976 where she had a great career. She won her Conference and Division. In the State Meet she came up short against an opponent from KU in a 3 set heartbreaker. That was her lone singles loss of the year. She also played doubles and lost to KU in the Semi Finals. She ended up placing 3rd in doubles. Her Senior year at Pitt State she earned the first ever Women’s Athletic Scholarship in School history. She once again dominated the Central States Intercollegiate Conference. At the 6-State Regional (newly formed) in Minnesota she lost a heartbreaker in the finals. But in doubles, she won the finals and qualified for Nationals in Santa Barbara. At nationals they lost in the first round to a team from California that ended up winning it all. Her career record at PSU was 35-4.
After college: She spent a few years teaching tennis for the Chanute Rec Center. She has also helped with our High School Players by hitting with them in her spare time. She has also strung racquets for some of our high school players over the years. She now focuses on long distance running. She recently qualified for the Boston Marathon and she was able to finish the race as a 61 year old which is super impressive.
