Athletic Hall of Fame 1997 Inductees
Robert F. Rudolph, 1938
Raised in Atchison. The leading scorer in basketball in both his junior and senior seasons at Ingalls High School. Selected to the all-state team and played in the state high school tournament.
Recruited to Baker by former coach Emil Liston and players George Cleland and All “Skinny” Young. Started in each of his four years and was named to the all-conference team in both his junior and senior years. As a member of the 1936-37 team, played against the Dr. Forrest C. “Phog” Allen coached Kansas University Jayhawks, losing in Baldwin in December by one point in overtime, but beating KU 32-27 later in January at KU. This was the only loss for the Jayhawks on their home court that year, and the last time Baker beat KU in varsity action.
Was a leader in several campus activities and associations. Joined the Kappa Sigma fraternity and was selected president both semesters of his senior year. Member of the Baker Choir, the Spanish Club, French Club, the Epworth League, the staff of the Baker Orange and The Baker Wildcat and the Interfraternity Council. Member of the “B” Club and served as president for one year.
Served on the work crews, which quarried stone and helped construct the football stadium during the summers between semesters.
Received his bachelor’s degree in journalism in 1938. Following graduation, worked in sales and medical relations fields for the Pet Milk Company, retiring in 1982 after 41 years. Served as the St. Louis admissions representative for Baker University from 1983 to 1986.
Resides with his wife, Mary, in St. Louis. Children are Alice, Kathleen and Rodney.
Kitrick William Colvin, 1967
As a resident of Lake Quivira, attended Shawnee Mission North High School where he earned a total of six athletic letters, three in football and three in track and field. Named all-conference his junior and senior years as a defensive tackle. Threw the shot put and discus in track.
Recruited to Baker to play for Coach Jim Irick. Started his freshman year at both offensive and defensive tackle and was named to the all-conference team on both offense and defense. Did not play during his sophomore year, but was again a two-way starter both his junior and senior years, and was again selected to the all-conference team on both offense and defense. Selected as a Small College All-American after his senior season.
Participated in track and field, winning letters all four years. Established new school and conference records in the shot put in 1965.
Was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity and the B-Club. Graduated with a degree in economics.
In 1966, following his senior year in football, signed a free-agent contract with the Kansas City Chiefs of the American Football League and was a member of the team’s first Super Bowl squad. Played for the Chiefs for three seasons before being forced to retire due to injuries
Entered the field of business in life insurance as an agency manager of a division of the Franklin Life Insurance Company. From 1970 to 1977 was in sales and marketing with Southland Paint Co. in Gainesville, Texas. Was named Regional Sales Manager of the Enterprise Paint Co. in 1977 (later the Valspar Paint Corporation). Named National Sales Manager, Valspar Paints in 1989 and returned to the Kansas City Area where he currently resides in Independence, Mo.
Member of the Valspar’s Leadership Group and received Valspar’s Leadership Award in 1994.
Married to Laura Jones Colvin and together they have two daughters, Carrie Anna and Kathy Ann.
John Michael Philpot, 1967
A standout athlete at Fredonia. All-conference, all-area and honorable mention all-state football player at offensive guard, linebacker/nose guard. In track, his mile and 880-yard relay teams won conference championships and his 880-yard relay team took fifth place at the state meet.
Recruited to Baker by former coach, Jim Irick. Started all four years in football, playing both ways at defensive end and offensive guard with some time spent at fullback. Was an all-conference selection, and following his senior year, also garnered all-district and honorable mention all-American honors.
In track and field, was a standout performer, establishing both school and conference records in the shot put. During the years 1966 and 1967, finished first in every shot put competition.
Was a member of Delta Tau Delta, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, B-club, and participated in dramatics. Graduated in 1967.
From 1967 to 1976, continued in athletics as an amateur in AAU track and field competitions. Qualified for Missouri Valley and National Lamar, Co., Dust Devils, Rugby Team, and finished fourth in national tournament in 1978.
Served in public schools and community colleges as a teacher and football/track coach. Head football coaching record was 45-39-3. Developed several state shot put champions in addition to other individual and team championships in track.
Began school administration in 1981. Served as an assistant principal at Haven and Buhler and later as principal at Nickerson and Buhler. In 1987, became superintendent and has since held positions at Remington, Smith Center and currently, Norton.
Member of numerous service and career organizations. Nominated and selected as Outstanding Young Man in America in 1975. Married to Cathy (Neal) Philpot, ’66. Together they have two sons, Roger and Neal.
Dr. Irmagene Nevins Holloway, 1922
As a child in Dodge City was active in a wide range of physical fitness and athletics. In 1917, joined a sister and two brothers as a student at Baker University. Played basketball and graduated with a degree majoring in history with a minor in physical education. Member of Zeta Tau Alpha and participated in the college orchestra, the women’s athletic association and YWCA.
Began her career as a high school health and physical education teacher in Hutchinson before going to become head of the Department of Health and Physical Education for women at the Kansas State Teachers College at Pittsburg where she introduced several innovations in physical training during her 20-year tenure.
After recovering from an automobile accident, developed a driver's education program for instructors — the first of its kind west of the Mississippi. Convinced the Kansas Department of Education that driver’s education should be taught in high school.
Earned a master’s degree from Columbia University and, in 1941 at New York University, became the first woman in the nation to receive a doctorate in safety education. Accepted a position with the American Red Cross and served as the National Director of Accident Prevention, later serving as the safety specialist for the U.S. Product Safety Commission and the U.S. Department of Public Health and Welfare. Was the first woman in the nation to be elected president of the American Academy of Safety Education. Spent 10 years as a safety education consultant for Owens Corning Fiberglass and other companies before retiring at age 83.
Received an Honorary Doctorate in 1966 and an Alumni Citation from Baker in 1983. Received numerous state and national honors and awards for her outstanding work and writing in the field of safety and health. Inducted into the International Safety and Health Hall of Fame in 1996.
