Athletic Hall of Fame 1988 Inductees

Rudolph “Rudy” Beiser, 1937

Attended East High School in Kansas City, Mo., where he was named to the all-city and all-state basketball team as a senior.

At Baker, lettered four years in varsity basketball and led each of these teams in scoring.

Named honorary captain of the 1937 Kansas Conference All-Star Team. Was the leading scorer as Baker defeated the University of Kansas varsity team coached by Phog Allen 32-27 at KU. This was the last time Baker defeated KU in varsity basketball action.

Following graduation he started at guard for the Healy Motors team, which went on to win the National Championship of the league, the forerunner of today’s NBA.

In 1939, played for the MGM team of Culver City, Calif., which lost one game during the entire season but finished in third place in the same pre-NBA league. While working in Hollywood, was recruited and played shortstop on the famous Roz Russell’s Boy’s Softball Team, which finished third in the tough Southern California Softball Championship Tournament.

In later life became an avid golfer and served on the Board of Directors of the Blue Skies Country Club, Yucca Valley, Calif.

Member and major supporter of the Baker University Wildcat Booster Club.

Member of the B-Club and Spanish Club, sports dditor of Baker Orange for three years, class vice president 1935-36, member of the Zeta Chi fraternity.

Worked for MGM as an “A” grip. Worked on “The Wizard of Oz” starring Judy Garland. Also worked on movies with Roz Russell, Norma Shearer, Wallace Beery, Edward G. Robinson, Nelson Eddy and Eleanor Powell.

Returned to Kansas City. Employed as a writer, producer and director of commercial films for United Film.

U.S. Army duty 1941-1945. Wrote scenarios for military training films. Assigned in 1943 to the Pentagon in charge of darkroom processing and development.

1946-1972, worked in supervisory capacities for the Veterans Administration first in Los Angeles, later in Washington, D.C.

During retirement became heavily involved in community service and volunteerism.

Fred L. Webb, 1949

Athletic career started in Osage City, Kan.; lettered in football, basketball and track. Recruited by Emil Liston in 1942 to attend Baker University; lettered in basketball and track four years each. Attended Baker the fall semester, 1942; left to serve in the armed forces-returned in 1946. Graduated June, 1949. Member of Delta Tau Delta.

Scored 20 points vs. College of Emporia, 1947. Pole vaulted 12’ 5 ½”, at the 1949 conference meet. (The world record was 14’ 8 ½”).

Coaching career began in 1949 at Hanover High School. In four years there, his teams went 75-27 in basketball. Coached baseball in ’49. 5-0 record.

Coached the first football team in the history of Hanover High School in September 1950. Lost the first game ever played 9-7. Won the next 7 games and finished the year 7-1. 1951 season went undefeated 8-0. 1952 Season was undefeated 7-0. Team of 1952 was recognized as one of the top teams in Kansas in their class. Selected as Coach of the Year in 1952-53.

Moved to Minneapolis, Kan. As basketball coach in 1953. coached there from 1953-55. Served as basketball coach and assistant football coach.

Moved to St. John, Kan. In 1955-59. Coached basketball and was assistant football coach. Record for the 10 years of coaching basketball: 136-81.

Moved to Baldwin in 1959 as high school teacher and assistant coach in all sports. Head coach resigned after the second football game. He finished the season as coach of all sports.

Was named principal of Baldwin High School in 1960. Served in that capacity until 1963. Received MS from Emporia State, 1961.

Employed at Baker University in 1963 as Dean of Men and registrar. Also served as assistant professor of physical education. Named Dean of Students in 1975. Served that capacity until he retired June 30, 1986.

Received the “Mr. Alumni Day” Award – 1985.

John, Fred, Robert and Rankin Wellborn

A family who brought honor to the University through their athletic achievements as well as their service and devotion to their alma mater. Perhaps never before or since has one family made such a positive impact upon the athletic life of Baker University.

John Wellborn, 1918

John lettered in basketball and track, won conference championship in 1915 and 1916 in the mile, while taking third in the two mile.

Member of Zeta Chi. During World War I was a member of the Machine Gun Company, 10th Div. Camp Funston. Received M.A. degree from Kansas University. Spent his career in education and as superintendent of schools first in Baldwin City, then Wamego.

Fred Wellborn, 1918

Fred lettered in basketball and track where he served as track team captain in 1918. Held Kansas Conference record in the half mile. Captain in 1918. Kansas conference record in the half mile. Member of Zeta Chi. Received M.A. from Kansas University in 1923, and his Ph.D. from Wisconsin in 1926. Professor of history at Iowa State Teachers College, 1926-1946; Professor of history at University of Maryland, 1946-1969, during which time he conducted classes at the Pentagon and other East Coast military bases. Author of two books. Listed in Who’s Who in the East.

Robert Wellborn, 1919

Robert lettered in football, basketball, and track. Captained the undefeated basketball team of 1919. Chosen All-Conference by conference coaches. Member of conference champion relay team also winning track points in the quarter mile and weight events. Conference champion in javelin. Member of Zeta Chi. Commissioned lieutenant during World War I. Served with the S.A.T.C. at the University of Wisconsin. Taught school at Fredonia; later superintendent of schools at Moran. Went into the insurance business before moving to Wichita where he worked for the State of Kansas Department of Labor.

Rankin Wellborn, 1920

Rankin lettered in basketball and track as a regular on the undefeated team of 1919. Known widely for his ability to shoot the foul shot. Honorable mention to the coaches All-Conference Team in 1919 and 1920. In 1920 he won the conference track meet in the half-mile. Member of Zeta Chi. M.A. Degree from Emporia State. Taught and coached, later serving as superintendent of schools, at Lyndon for 20 years. After resigning his post, he worked for many years with the Lyndon State Bank.