Hall of Fame Honors

Note by Genevieve Hargiss:

Bill had been saying for quite a while that Fran belonged in the Sports Hall of Fame.  We do not know how much he had to do with it; he wouldn't tell us.

Crowd Hails Hall of Fame Honors for "Fran Welch"

     A 50-year career as athlete, coach, and administrator at Kansas State Teachers College was recognized October 27, when F. G. "Fran" Welch was inducted into the Kansas All-Sports Hall of Fame at a Rotary Club luncheon.
     Mr. Welch became the 25th member of the select group and more than 300 persons, from as far away as Swarthmore, Pa., and Madison, Wisconsin, turned out in the K.S.T.C. Colonial Ballroom to see him honored.
     Eight of the 10 members of the Board of Directors of the Hall of Fame were present, as were many former athletes coached by Mr. Welch, and several colleges and universities in the state had representatives.
     Clyde M. Reed, Parsons publisher, was master of ceremonies for the dinner and introduced the featured speaker, H. W. "Bill" Hargiss, who was football coach at K.S.T.C. in 1914, when Mr. Welch showed up as a 133-pound freshman quarterback who was to lead the Hornets to four outstanding seasons.
     Mr. Hargiss outlined the career of Mr. Welch, mentioning some of his many honors and achievements, and said : "To those of us who know you, your achievements are not surprising. The qualities of courage that were apparent in the boy became more evident in the man." Mr. Hargiss concluded by saying that Mr. Welch had made "a tremendous contribution to the youth of Kansas and the nation."
     The award presentation was made by the Honorable Hugo T. Wedell, a retired Chief Justice of the Kansas Supreme Court. Judge Wedell cited the Rotary slogan, "He profits most who serves best," and said, "If he (Welch) has not been a walking example of that slogan, I know of no man who has."
     Mr. Welch, remembering that he was hired as football and track coach in 1927 for "a year or two," said he was Grateful to "all the kids who made a halfway decent coach out of me." He also stated his gratitude to his former coach, Mr. Hargiss, the school administration, his friends and fellow coaches, and to his long-time "chief assistant coach," his wife.

On right:

Honoring
F. G. "FRAN" WELCH
On His Election To
The Kansas All-Sports Hall of Fame
Luncheon Sponsored By
Emporia Rotary Club
Ballroom, Memorial Union K.S.T.C.
At 12 Noon, October 26, 1965

Master of Ceremonies.......... Clyde M. Reed
"A Rewarding 50 Years"........ H. W. "Bill" Hargiss
Presentation of Award.......... Hon. Hugo T. Wedell