12 Notable alumni of Missouri Western State University
Updated: June 14, 2026 EliteDegrees
Missouri Western State University is 3772st in the world, 1st in North America, and 996st in the United States by aggregated alumni prominence. Below is the list of 12 notable alumni from Missouri Western State University sorted by their wiki pages popularity. The directory includes famous graduates and former students along with research and academic staff. Many individuals affiliated with Missouri Western State University won Nobel Prizes for Peace, in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, and Economics.
1. Jim Wright
1955-. (aged 71)
baseball player
James Leon Wright is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played parts of two seasons in the major leagues for the Kansas City Royals, appearing in 17 games during the 1981 season and seven games during the 1982 season.
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2. Roger Allen III
1986-. (aged 40)
American football player
Roger Allen III is an American former professional football player who was a guard in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Missouri Western Griffons.
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3. Clay Rush
1973-. (aged 53)
American football player
Clay Jackson Rush is an American former professional football kicker who played ten seasons in the Arena Football League (AFL) with the Iowa Barnstormers/New York Dragons, Indiana Firebirds, Colorado Crush, Kansas City Brigade, and Arizona Rattlers. He played college football at Triton College, Harper College, and Missouri Western State University, earning third-team All-American honors as a junior in 1994. After...
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4. Brian Boyer
1969-. (aged 57)
basketball coach
Brian Boyer is a former American college basketball coach.
5. Elijah Haahr
1982-. (aged 44)
politician
Elijah J. L. Haahr is an American attorney and politician who served as a member of the Missouri House of Representatives, for the 134th district from 2013 to 2021. He is a member of the Republican Party.
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6. Gijon Robinson
1984-. (aged 42)
American football player
Gijon Milque Robinson is an American former professional football player who was a tight end and fullback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Missouri Western Griffons and was signed by the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He currently resides in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and...
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7. Charles Bruffy
1958-. (aged 68)
conductor
singer
choir director
voice teacher
Charles Bruffy is an American choral conductor. He is artistic director of the Kansas City Chorale in Kansas City, Missouri, and is formerly the Chorus Director of the Kansas City Symphony. He lives in Kansas City.
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8. Esther George
1958-. (aged 68)
banker
Esther L. George is the former president and chief executive of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City from 2011 until 2023.
9. David Bass
1990-. (aged 36)
American football player
David Vincent Bass Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for five seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the seventh round of the 2013 NFL draft. He was also a member of the Chicago Bears, Tennessee Titans, Seattle Seahawks, and New York Jets. He played college...
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10. Jonathan Owens
1995-. (aged 31)
American football player
Jonathan James Owens is an American professional football safety for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Missouri Western Griffons, and signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2018. He has also played for the Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers. He is married to American artistic gymnast...
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11. Greg Zuerlein
1988-. (aged 38)
ice dancer
figure skating coach
Gregory Zuerlein ZUR-lyne; is an American professional football placekicker. A native of Lincoln, Nebraska, he played college football for the Nebraska–Omaha Mavericks and Missouri Western Griffons. He previously played for the St. Louis / Los Angeles Rams and the Dallas Cowboys.
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12. Paul Rhoads
1967-. (aged 59)
head coach
Paul Robert Rhoads is an American football coach. He is a Defensive Analyst at Mississippi State University. A major conference assistant coach and head coach, he spent a seven-year tenure as head coach at Iowa State.
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