Bio

Dr. Earl Baker began his football career during his time at Marshall High School.  Following his graduation in 1942 Earl enlisted in the United States Navy as an Aviation Machinist Mate H Second Class.  Earl enrolled at Missouri Valley College following his military service.

At Missouri Valley College Earl played football for four-years, and earned All-Conference honors his senior season.  Earl graduated from Missouri Valley College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education in 1950.

Earl took a teaching and coaching position in Hardin, MO, where he taught science, social studies, and coached a variety of sports.  In 1953, Earl went to Cameron, MO where his football teams took several Grand River Conference titles.  At the same time his teams were setting records, Earl was furthering his education, and in 1957 earned his Masters in Administration from Northeast Missouri State University.

In 1960, Earl was hired to become the new football mentor for Northwest Missouri State University.  Earl completed his tenure as head football coach two years later, and remained on the coaching staff as a defensive coach through 1969.  Earl also acted as head track and field coach, and coached the cross country team to its only Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association Championship title in 1973.  During this time, Earl earned his Doctorate in Education from Colorado State College (now the University of Northern Colorado).

In 1987, after 27 years of coaching and teaching at Northwest, Earl retired.  He remained active in the Maryville community as a member of the first Baptist Church, and participant in the Maryville Levis and Laces Square Dance Club.  Earl was an avid gardener, known for sharing his abundance of produce.  Earl married Betty Underwood from Marshall in December of 1947, and passed away in his home on September 30, 1999.