Elmer Quillen “Catchy” or "Ollie" Oliphant

Elmer Quillen “Catchy” or "Ollie" Oliphant, a 1916 mechanical engineering graduate, made a substantial impact on Purdue sports. He earned nine varsity letters in football, basketball, baseball and track, becoming Purdue's first athlete to do so. While he also competed in swimming, boxing and wrestling, varsity letters weren't awarded for those sports at the time. Oliphant’s Purdue record for scoring five touchdowns and 43 points in a single game in 1912 still stands. He was Purdue's first All-American, honored in football and basketball. After Purdue, Oliphant attended West Point, earning 11 varsity letters in football, basketball, baseball and track. Despite being 5'10" and 175 lbs., he became the heavyweight boxing champion at West Point. He was part of Army's 1914 and 1916 national championship teams and was named to college football's All-Time All-America team for its first 50 years. Oliphant also set a world record in the 220 hurdles on a grass track. Following graduation from West Point in 1918, Oliphant served in World War I before a successful professional football career, in which he earned All-Pro honors. His contributions to sports brought him induction into the National Football Hall of Fame, College Football Hall of Fame, and Purdue Athletics Hall of Fame.