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JCCC baseball to honor former head coach Sonny Maynard April 11

Overall Setting and Purpose The graphic is a commemorative poster honoring an individual named Sonny Maynard, centered on baseball history and celebration. The design blends archival imagery, statistical text, and modern graphic elements to mark a special recognition event. Layout and Composition The poster is divided into three primary visual zones: Left vertical panel (dark maroon background) Center and right main image (sepia-toned action photograph) Right-side emblematic elements and logo The composition balances historical documentation with celebratory design elements. Left Panel: Text and Portraits Portrait Images At the top of the left panel are three circular portrait photographs, arranged horizontally: The images appear to represent the same individual at different stages of life. The photos vary in tone, including color and black-and-white treatments. All portraits are cropped tightly around the head and shoulders. Text Content Below the portraits, the panel contains clearly laid-out text in yellow and white fonts, listing: Name: SONNY MAYNARD (prominently displayed in uppercase) Role and Tenure: JCCC’s First Baseball Head Coach 1973–1986 Record and Performance Statistics: Including: Career record (504–176) Winning percentage (.741) Winning seasons (14 of 14) Milestone win totals (30+ wins and 40+ wins across multiple seasons) Championships and Honors: The list includes: Conference championships Regional championships NJCAA All-American recognition ABCA and CCCA distinctions All-Region and All-Kansas Jayhawk Conference mentions MLB Draft Picks (13) The text is organized in short lines with dot separators, resembling a résumé or career highlight format. Center and Background Image The dominant background is a large, sepia-toned action photograph showing a person in a baseball setting: The person is positioned in a crouched, ready stance, suggesting fielding or coaching activity. The individual is wearing a striped uniform top, a cap, and athletic footwear. The setting appears to be a baseball field or practice area, with a wall or structure in the background. The photograph has visible grain and aging, reinforcing its archival nature. Overlaying this image at the bottom center is the name: Large Title Text SONNY MAYNARD Rendered in bold, uppercase letters Yellow outline with transparent interior, allowing the photograph to show through The text spans a wide portion of the graphic and serves as the main visual anchor Above the name is smaller text reading: “CELEBRATION DAY / APRIL 11, 2026” Right-Side Elements Jersey Illustration On the right side is a stylized baseball jersey illustration: White base color Horizontal stripes in orange, brown, and yellow A sunburst-style emblem centered on the chest The words “Johnson County” appear across the upper chest The jersey is depicted flat, like a memorial or symbolic representation rather than worn Logo in Upper Right Corner A “JC” lettermark logo Blue letters outlined in yellow A crossed bat or similar baseball-themed graphic intersects the letters Positioned near the top-right corner, functioning as a branding or institutional identifier Color Palette and Style Primary colors: Maroon, gold/yellow, white, sepia brown Stylistic tone: Historic, respectful, celebratory Typography: Clean sans-serif fonts for readability, with bold uppercase lettering for emphasis Visual theme: Baseball heritage and legacy Notable Details The combination of career statistics, archival photography, and symbolic imagery suggests this poster was created for formal recognition or a legacy celebration. The structured statistical list contrasts with the emotional weight of the large action photo. The jersey and logo reinforce an institutional connection without overwhelming the central tribute.
Posted: Apr 08, 2026

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The Johnson County Community College baseball team will honoring former head coach Sonny Maynard on Saturday, April 11 against Southwestern Community College at JCCC Baseball Complex. The ceremony will take place at 12:45 with an unveiling of his jersey on the outfield wall followed by his family throwing out the first pitch.

The legendary coach passed away in Olathe, Kansas on April 6. He left behind a legacy of perseverance, achievement and trailblazing leadership.

In 1969, Maynard broke racial barriers as the first Black coach at Johnson County Community College, serving as the assistant coach for the men's basketball program under head coach and Athletic Director Orville Gregory, and head coach of the baseball program.

Few men have had a greater impact on amateur baseball than Maynard, who directed the Cavaliers baseball program to the forefront of collegiate baseball not only in the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference but nation-wide.

Maynard logged 504 victories in 14 years as the Cavaliers skipper, an average of 36 wins per season. Five of his 14 seasons he led JCCC to 40 or more wins, including a school record 48 in 1985. He finished with a career winning percentage of .741 and never finished with a percentage under .600.

Maynard also piled up championships, amassing six East Jayhawk Conference titles (1974, 1975, 1976, 1980, 1981, 1984), four Eastern Sub-Regional titles (1974, 1975, 1980, 1984), three Region 6 titles (1974, 1980, 1984) and five teams finished the season ranked nationally. Nineteen of his players were drafted by professional baseball teams, and he tutored five All-Americans,  34 All-Region 6 performers and 15 All-KJCCC selections.

In the summer of 1980, Maynard was selected by the United States Baseball Federation as one of the coaches for the Japan-USA All-Star Series. The USA team lost the first game but won six straight for the championship. His coaching excellence also extended to roles with the Kansas City Royals.

In 1986, Maynard was asked to take over the women's basketball program and generated the greatest turnaround in Jayhawk Conference history. He took over a team that went 0-26 prior to a 22-10 record and a second-place finish in the conference. His second year he led JCCC to a program record 25-7 mark and another conference runner-up finish. He coached All-American Lisa Kirby, one of the top scorers in NJCAA history. 

After the 1987-88 season he stepped down but returned for a second stint during the 1991-92 campaign and led the Cavaliers to a 12-5 mark and a 10-4 record in conference play. He also coached All-America Melissa Grider, another top scorer nationally. In all, Maynard coached two All-Americans, six All-Region 6 selections and 10 All-Jayhawk Conference selections while posting a .728 winning percentage (59-22).

Maynard was born on October 25, 1934, in Bristol, Oklahoma and was a highly recruited athlete out of Booker T. Washington High School in Cushing, Oklahoma, after leading his basketball team to three consecutive Black high school championship while earning All-State honors. His senior year he was named Oklahoma's Most Valuable Player.

He was recruited by Kansas, Notre Dame, Grambling State and Colorado State, but continued his career at Cowley College in Arkansas City, Kansas, where he was selected as a basketball All-American in 1956 and 1957. He was also a two-time All-Region 6 selection and voted Most Inspirational Player for the Tigers. He finished his career with 996 points, eight-most in Cowley men's basketball history.

While in Ark City, Maynard also pitched and played center field on its semi pro baseball – May Builders and later managed and coached both the May Builders baseball and basketball teams, a position that lasted from 1957-67.

During his team as manager and coach, Maynard attended Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas, where he earned a bachelor's degree, In 1958, he accepted a position as recreation director at the Winfield State Hospital and Training Center – position he held until 1969. He later received his master's degree from Oklahoma State University in 1963.

Maynard was honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions across Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. He was first inducted into the JCCC Hall of Fame in 1992, followed by Southwestern College (1999), Cowley College (2000) and both the Conoco AAU and Missouri AAU Halls of Fame.