The History of Ohio Wesleyan Athletics

1870-1919 | 1920-1939 | 1940-59 | 1960-69 | 1970-79 | 1980-89 | 1990-99 | 2000-08

1943

Dick Drake '43, a tackle on the Bishop football team, is drafted by the New York Giants of the National Football League. He is the first Ohio Wesleyan player to be selected in the draft, which was instituted in 1936.

1946

Quentin Brelsford '48 wins the NCAA cross country championship, then one race encompassing all member institutions, to become Ohio Wesleyan's first national champion in cross country.

Gauthier steps down as football coach with a career record of 121-98-15. His 5 league championships remain the most by any Ohio Wesleyan football coach.

Bob Strimer takes over as men's basketball coach.

1947

With the demise of the Buckeye Conference nearly a decade earlier, Ohio Wesleyan is readmitted into the Ohio Athletic Conference.

Les Michael '40 is named golf coach and the team wins a school-record 9 matches.

Glenn Fraser takes over as head football coach and starts a string of 8 straight winning seasons.

1948

Bob Strimer takes over as golf coach.

1951

Jud Millhon '51 is a first-team All-America selection, the first such honor for an Ohio Wesleyan basketball player. Millhon ranked among the top 5 nationally in scoring and rebounding that season. He finished his career as the OAC's all-time leader in scoring and rebounding.

The golf team wins its first OAC championship and would successfully defend its crown the following year.

The football team wins the OAC title, its first under Fraser.

1952

Les Michael '40 becomes head baseball coach.

1953

The football team finishes 8-0-1, its first undefeated season during the modern era, and wins its second OAC crown in 3 years. A tie with Wabash prevented a perfect season.

1954

Dick Gordin '52 takes over as soccer, swimming and golf coach and guides the Bishop golf team to the OAC championship.

Ray Leech '49 starts the Ohio Wesleyan wrestling team. He would be the only head coach in the program's 30 years of competition.

Pfeiffer Natatorium opens as new home of the swimming team.

1955

George Gauthier retires as athletics director. He returns the next year to help coach cross country and track and field. Bob Strimer is named athletics director.

The men's soccer team receives varsity status and the Bishops compile a 3-4-1 record. Back Phil Carter '56 is the first All-America selection in Ohio Wesleyan soccer history.

1958

The baseball team posts a 12-0 record, wins the OAC championship, and is the only undefeated team in the nation.

The men's lacrosse team is accorded varsity status and compiles a 1-8 record under coach Fred Myers.

Frank Shannon becomes men's basketball coach and promptly ends a 5-year span of losing seasons.

1959

Golfers Rod Myers '61 and Tates Locke '59 each shoot a school-record 67. Myers' came at Springfield Country Club, while Locke's was at Delaware (now Dornoch) Golf Club.

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1870-1919 | 1920-1939 | 1940-59 | 1960-69 | 1970-79 | 1980-89 | 1990-99 | 2000-08