Arnold Ryan's Puxico Indians:

Missouri's Very Own Hickory Huskers

Shane Matzen, Marquette High School

In the most in-depth episode ever on Frailey's Mustang Mania, the show ventures to the Lake of the Ozarks, Troy, Puxico and Springfield over the course of nine months to interview those who could tell one of our state's greatest stories: the legendary Puxico Indians of the late 1940s/early 1950s. A team that was led by the great Coach Arnold Ryan who influenced and shaped basketball in the Southeast Missouri area for decades to come, the Indians produced great players and teams that are still talked about with reverence. Below are links to the three parts of this special presentation (click on each to view):

PART ONE: An interview with the author of "My Name is Mister Ryan", Matt Chaney

PART TWO: We meet with Louis Chaney, a 1949 grad of Puxico High, who played on some of the Arnold Ryan's first teams at PHS which set the road map for the title teams to follow

PART THREE: The guest trio wraps up with Leon Cookson, a star player on Puxico's 1951 title team and a member of a coaching family held in the highest regards in this state

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During the course of planning, traveling and filming this episode, several sources and outlets came into play. We hope you'll take a look at some of the links below to give you a flavor for this show and learn more about Puxico and the Indians of Mister Ryan:

A photo collection from the trip-click HERE

Matt Chaney's book entitled "My Name is Mister Ryan"-click HERE

Matt Chaney's book entitled "Legend in Missouri"-click HERE

Mike Mitchell's book entitled "Show-Me Kings: Bootheel Ball, the Cookson Clan & a Run-and-Gun All-Star Show"-click HERE

Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in Springfield where we filmed the open and close of the show-click HERE

Puxico High School-click HERE

Travel/lodging considerations by the Starlight Motel in Van Buren-click HERE