Kenneth Jerry Adair played for the Sand Springs High School baseball, basketball, and football teams from 1952 through 1955 and is considered to be on the greatest athletes in Sand Springs history. The Jerry Adair Baseball Complex in Sand Springs' River City Parks is named after Adair. Adair lettered three times in football, three times in basketball, and three times in baseball during his high school career.

During his senior year, Adair earned the nickname "Iceman" for his coolness during a football game against Ponca City. Adair was the starting quarterback and PAT kicker for the Sandites and led his team from a 20-0 deficit to a 21-20 victory.

Adair was selected to the Daily Oklahoman All-State football team, but turned it down because he wanted to make All-State in basketball. He succeeded in making the All-State basketball team and was chosen as the Most Outstanding Player after the '55 All-Star game.

Adair enrolled at Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State University) in 1955 on an athletic scholarship to play both basketball and baseball. At the time, freshmen weren't allowed on the varsity teams. Adair was the second-leading scorer during both his sophomore and junior years on the basketball team.

Adair was the starting shortstop on the '57 and '58 baseball teams and led in batting with a .438 average his junior year. He was the first-ever player from OSU named to the All-Big Eight Team. He was also selected to the All-American Second Team by the ABCA.

Adair played semi-pro during the summer of '58 for Williston, North Dakota in the Western Canada Baseball League and led the team with a .409 average. He led in home runs and was second in RBI. He also went 3-0 as a pitcher and batted .444 over fourteen playoff games and helped his team win the League title.

Adair signed with the Baltimore Orioles for $40,000 in '58 and made his career debut at shortstop in a 4-3 loss to the Washington Senators. He reportedly had a larger signing offer from the Red Sox, but turned it down.

Adair set a Major League record for second basemen, going 89 games and 458 chances without error from 64-65.