John 'Taz' Tongier has been a staple in the UAFS baseball program and Fort Smith community for nearly 30 years.
Tongier came to the River Valley in 1996 while working on the railroad and helped build the Field of Dreams Sports Complex in Van Buren. While working on the Field of Dreams, Tongier was approached by American Legion coach Squeaky Smith about working at Hunts Park in Fort Smith.  At Hunts Park, head of the American Legion John Brainerd told Tongier to see Westark baseball coach Bill Crowder.
When Tongier arrived, there was grass on the infield dirt and no distinction between the outfield and the warning track. Tongier got right to work, and the rest is history. When he was done with his shift at the railroad, Tongier would mow and drag the field to get it ready for gameday.
Eventually, Tongier added scorekeeping, announcing, running the scoreboard and driving the bus to his duties. He even announced volleyball games for fellow Hall of Famer Jane Sargent when the program was started.
But the thing that keeps bringing Tongier back every day is his love for the game and serving the student-athletes and the community. He takes pride in his work and wants to provide the best facilities for the athletes to play on.
"If you want to know what a servant is, look no further than Taz," said former UAFS Director of Athletics Dustin Smith. "He was willing to do anything asked of him to serve the student-athletes, the athletic department, or me. He willingly gave his time and effort for little to no pay. But pay in the form of money wasn't his goal or desire. He got an incredible satisfaction of helping others by doing what others wouldn't. And that is what being a servant to others is.
"Taz is a Hall of famer, not just because of his service to UAFS baseball and the athletic program, but because of his willingness to serve others."
Tongier has many fond memories over his years at the field, including watching Albert Pujols hit a home run over the centerfield fence and seeing all the players that have come through the program succeeding on and off the field.
'Taz' will be the second member of his family to be inducted into a hall of fame, as his great uncle Walter Johnson is in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
