Bates, who died Dec. 4 at the age of 75, graduated from Central Missouri State in 1949 and had a distinguished record of service to the university.  He served as president of the CMSU Alumni Association in 1953 and also served as alumni director from 1982-84.  He was a member of the CMSU Mule Train and an avid supporter of CMSU athletics.  A scholarship is awarded annually in his name to a Mules’ basketball player.  He was an original member of the Hall of Fame selection committee, representing the decade of the 1940s, until his death.  In addition to his service to CMSU, Bates played on the Mules’ basketball team in 1943-44 and 1946-48.