Tom Allen ’60
Sand Creek High School was little known outside of Decatur County until Tom Allen began blossom on the Franklin campus. He earned a varsity letter in football as a freshman despite the fact that he had never play the game before. As a sophomore in 1957, Tom was selected by opposing coaches to an All-HCC berth by acclamation, an honor he also received in his junior and senior years.
This mild and gentle man off the field was somehow transformed when he donned a football uniform. A 60-minute man in almost every game, Tom played offensive guard or fullback, but is most remembered as a defensive lineman and linebacker because of his many great hits. Tome served as Captain in 1958 and 1959 and was elected MVP by his teammates in 1958.
This talented and dedicated athlete turned to track in the spring and lettered for three years. He held the College and the HCC record in the shot and could be counted upon for firsts and seconds in the discus, javelin and occasionally the 100 yard dash.
The 1960 Wil B. Nelp Award recipient was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals pro football team but was released after a few days when they learned that he had lost an eye as a youngster. Tom joined the coaching staff at Franklin College for one season as a line coach before taking assignments at Morocco for four years and North Newton for three years. Tom is now in his seventh year as head football coach at Benton Central High School near Lafayette.
Mr. Tom Allen is now a member of the Franklin College Hall of Fame.
Inducted 1976
Thomas E. Downey ’32
(Deceased)
Winner of 11 varsity letters—four in football, three in basketball, three in track and one in baseball—Tom Downey was the one four-sport award winner during the 1928-32 era. He would have earned more letters in baseball, but the College fielded a team in 1932 only the team members had to buy their own uniforms. Tome was an all-state football selection in 1931 and, at one time, was the College record holder in the javelin.
In 1932 he signed a baseball contract with the St. Louis Cardinals and was under contract with them for three years until baseball and coaching careers clashed.
Tom taught and coached in Indiana for 20 years. He was one of the last to coach football, basketball, baseball and track in the same year. His basketball team had a winning percentage for 72 over 20 years and garnered 11 sectional titles and one regional in 1939 with Salem High School. Tom was elected as the first all-star coach in 1939.
In 1952 Tom left the teaching and coaching profession to become the eventual general manager of a building materials company. He retired in 1970 and moved to Largo, Florida, where he now resides.
Mr. Thomas Downey is now a member of the Franklin College Hall of Fame.
Inducted 1976
Fritz Miller ’36
(Deceased)
Earning four varsity letters in basketball and three in football, Fritz Miller made a fine contribution to athletics at Franklin College. He was rightfully honored by his selection as All-State in both football and basketball. He was also the recipient of the Wil B. Nelp trophy in 1936 and a member of both Alpha and Blue Key.
Fritz worked as janitor in the gym for three years and kept his size 14 “mopping shoes” in an open locker. Other fellows would often borrow his shoes to wear as overshoes when they didn’t have their own and wanted to shoot baskets.
Following graduation, he taught and coached basketball at Remington High School for four year. He returned to Franklin as the High School football coach for three years and doubled for two of those as basketball coach at the Masonic Home High School.
Fritz moved to Michigan and become a teacher and coach at Menominee High School for 30 years. At the present time he is retired and touring the country with his wife, the former Taggart ’38.
Mr. Fritz Miller is now a member of the Franklin College Hall of Fame.
Inducted 1976
D. Earl Pike ‘22
During his collegiate career from 1918 to 1922, Earl Pike earned four varsity letters each in football, basketball and baseball and added two letters during his spare time, in track for a total of 14.
Earl played fullback for Franklin College in the first game he ever saw. He was selected to all-state teams in both football and basketball. At one time or another during his career, he played all eleven positions in football and seven of the nine positions in baseball.
Following graduation, he became a teacher and coach. He produced a succession of winning teams at Garfield High School in Terre Haute over the next 20 years. He then became a school administrator and was Assistant Superintendent of Terre Haute schools at the time of his retirement in 1965.
Earl was inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame in 1976.
Mr. Earl Pike is now a member of the Franklin College Hall of Fame.
Inducted 1976
Robert W. Primmer ’34
After completing high school as a member of the Frankfort 1929 State Basketball Champions, Bob enrolled at Franklin College. These were the depression years and he found a job in a local restaurant to help pay his expenses. He earned three varsity letters in basketball in 1930-31; and 1933-34. He was a member of the track team, but they did not compete enough in these lean years to award varsity letters.
Bob began his illustration career in 1934 as Head Coach in basketball and track Director of Athletics at Dunkirk High School, a post he held for three years. He moved to South Bend Central High School in 1937 to head the track program and assist in basketball. In 1939 Bob was named the first Head Basketball Coach and Athletic Director at the New John Adams High School in South Bend. During World War II, Lieutenant Bob Primmer served as Head Basketball Coach at the U.S. Naval Air Station, Atlanta, Georgia.
Bob followed John Wooden as Head Basketball Coach at South Bend Central and he guided his teams to four Sectional and Regional titles plus one Semi-State title during his six years there. Ball State Teachers College named him its Head Basketball Coach in 1952, but his tenure was halted by a coronary in 1954. After recovery, Bob continued to serve at Ball State, including 13 years as Director of Athletics in every expanding program.
Throughout a career spanning 42 years, Bob has been very active in a variety of civic, fraternal and professional organizations for which Indiana Governor Otis Bowne named him a Sagamore of the Wabash upon his retirement in May, 1976.
Mr. Robert Primmer is now a member of the Franklin College Hall of Fame.
Inducted 1976
Noble B. Ritchey “11
(Deceased)
Franklin College’s baseball team was in full force from 1907 on. Noble Ritchey lettered four years and was elected Captain for 1911. As a pitcher, his 21 strike-out winning game against Butler was highly acclaimed.
Basketball was not played in 1907 -08 due to lack of facilities, but with a new gym “Red” Ritchey played varsity ball for three years and captained the 1909-1910 team.
He was a substitute on the football squad his freshman year, but, as a sophomore was called “Franklin’s star quarterback” in the yearbook. He was injured as a junior and unable to play. The 1910 team could not compete because of financial problems.
Noble Ritchey was primarily in the canning business after graduation. He spent two years in the U.S.S.R. in the early 1930’s as Field Superintendent of the combined vegetable canneries there.
Throughout his life, however, he never lost his interest or enthusiasm for athletics and Franklin College.
Mr. Noble Ritchey is now a member of the Franklin College Hall of Fame.
Inducted 1976
Raymond Rohrabaugh ’26
(Deceased)
During World War I, “Buck” joined the Army and was sent to Wabash College, where he played against Rockne’s Notre Dame and the famous Gipp. Following his discharge, he returned to his home in Kirklin and worked on the Monon Railroad. Each fall evening he worked with the high school team as an unpaid coach. His team played Logansport for the mythical state championship and won. Following that game he was encouraged to go to college by one of the game officials, a man from Franklin.
In the fall, “Buck” brought his brother, Earnest, (a quarterback) and four other member s of the nine Kirklin team to Franklin College. Brother Joe came in 1928 and the Rohrabaugh parents watched their sons through eight years of play at Franklin.
“Buck” earned four letters in football as a center and captained the 1923 team. He was selected as all-state in football. He also earned four letters as a baseball pitcher and first baseman.
In 1926, he returned to Kirkland where his football team lost but once in three years. He moved to Frankfort in 1929 where he established the football program and remained until his retirement in 1967. During his tenure at Frankfort, he served as Football Coach, Athletic Director, Dean of Boys and Tennis Coach. The Frankfort High School football field was re-named in his honor.
The Indiana Football Hall of Fame also honored “Buck” this year. Now, after 40-plus years, Raymond Rohrabaugh is enjoying his retirement.
Mr. Raymond Rohrabaugh is now a member of the Franklin College Hall of Fame.
Inducted 1976
Roy Everett Tillotson
(Deceased)
Coach Roy Tillotson was graduated from Oberlin College in 1916. He earned major letters all four years in football, basketball and baseball. He was selected All-Ohio tackle in 1914 and 1915, despite his mere 165 pounds.
From 1917 to 1920 he was Head Football, Basketball and Baseball Coach at Allegheny High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The football and baseball teams were undefeated during his four years there and the basketball team won 75 percent of its games.
In 1921 he became Athletic Director at Hiram College and served through 1924. He then moved on to Miami University to assist in football and head the basketball program for five years.
Coach Tillotson arrived at Franklin College in 1930 and assumed the position of Athletic Director and Head Baseball and Football Coach. In 1932 he was named to coach the basketball team as well. For most of these years he had no paid assistant and taught a full time load. In 1950 he retired from active coaching and moved to Toledo University as Head Trainer. He retired 1960 at age 70.
Coach “Tilly” became almost a legendary figure while at Franklin. During World War II he ran a one-man alumni newsletter, corresponding with Franklin servicemen all over the world. Just about any former student of the era has some kind of tale about the “Coach.”
Mr. Roy Tillotson is now a member of Franklin College Hall of Fame.
Inducted 1976
John W. Woner, M.D.
After graduation from Indiana University Medical School, Dr. Woner opened a medical practice in Sullivan, Indiana, in 1933. He moved to Linton, Indiana in 1940, but was called to active duty in the army in May of 1941. After the U.S. entered the war, he served as Battalion Surgeon at the rank of Captain in the 29th Infantry Division; he participated in the Normandy invasion and five other campaigns. Dr. Woner is a past National Commander of the 29th Infantry Division Association, an honor never before bestowed upon a medical officer.
Following his discharge in 1945, he returned to Linton and assumed his medical practice and general surgery where he continues to attend his patients.
His interest in Franklin College stemmed from the enrollment of a Linton student/athlete. Then, in 1957, he became actively associated with the football team as the team doctor. He has since examined diagnosed and treated literally hundreds of players. On one occasion he remained alone throughout the night at the bedside of an injured player in case a medical crisis developed. He has accepted no fees for any of his services. During this time he has financially assisted a number of Franklin athletes and twice has hosted a reunion of all former players, wives and children.
To date, Dr. Woner has been on the Franklin sidelines for 178 of the 181 football games played over 20 years and in 18 years has missed no games at home or on the road. It would seem improper to start a game without him.
Dr. Woner has truly made a significant contribution to athletics at Franklin College.
Dr. John Woner is now a member of the Franklin College Hall of Fame.
Inducted 1976
