Sept. 29, 1997

Honored to Be in Purdue Hall of Fame

Thrilled, excited, overwhelmed, nostolgic, touched and honored...six emotions, or feelings if you will, to represent the feelings of the six new inductees into the Purdue Athletic Hall of Fame.

Inducted as the fourth class into the Boilermaker Hall of Fame last Thursday were Otis Armstrong, Dr. Bill Combs, Mark Herrmann, Joy Holmes-Harris, Elmer Oliphant and Fred Wampler, bringing the total number of inductees to 36.

Here are some details about the 1997 Hall of Famers (in alphabetical order):

Otis Armstrong -- A native of Chicago, Otis Armstrong starred as a football halfback from 1970 to 72. Over a three-year period Armstrong accumulated 3,315 rushing yards, a career record that stood for 23 years, and became the first player to lead Purdue in rushing three straight seasons. An All-American in 1972, his greatest performance came in his final collegiate game when he raced for a school-record 276 yards in a victory over Indiana. He entered the National Football League in 1973 and led the league in rushing in 1974 as a member of the Denver Broncos. He retired in 1980.

Dr. Loyal W. Combs -- Originally from Lowell, Ind., Dr. Loyal W. (Bill) Combs served for 36 years as Purdues head football team physician, guiding one of the premier sports medicine programs in the United States. He was also director of the Purdue Student Hospital from 1956 to 81. In 1982 the National Athletic Trainers Association presented Combs with its highest honor, the Presidents Challenge Cup Award. A graduate of Lowell High School, Combs played football for Purdue from 1939 to 41 and earned team MVP and All-Big Ten honors during his senior season.

Mark Herrmann -- A native of Carmel, Ind., Mark Herrmann was one of the finest quarterbacks in Purdue football history. He was the Most Valuable Player in three consecutive bowl games: the 1978 Peach, 79 Bluebonnet and 80 Liberty, all Purdue victories. He ranks first in several career lists at Purdue, most notably in passing yards, passing touchdowns and total yards. He earned Big Ten MVP, first team All-Big Ten and All-America honors during his senior season. After an illustrious Purdue career, he played in the National Football League for 12 seasons.

Joy Holmes-Harris -- A native of Mansfield, Ohio, Joy Holmes-Harris was the first Purdue womens basketball player to earn Kodak All-America and Big Ten Player-of-the-Year honors when she accomplished the feats in 1991. From 1987 to 91 Holmes-Harris established multiple records at Purdue and was selected All-Big Ten three times. She holds the career records for steals with 323 and most consecutive games scoring in double figures with 37. She is still playing basketball professionally and resides in Lafayette.

Elmer Oliphant -- A native of Bloomfield, Ind., Elmer Oliphant, nicknamed Catchy, won seven letters at Purdue from 1911 to 13 in football, baseball, basketball and track. He scored 43 points in a football game against Rose Poly in 1912, a school record that still stands today. After Purdue, he lettered in four sports at Army and was twice named All-American. He was also inducted into the National and Indiana Football Halls of Fame before his death in 1975.

Fred Wampler -- A native of Bedford, Ind., Fred Wampler won the individual NCAA golf title in 1950 and the individual Big Ten championship three consecutive years in 1948, 49 and 50. Wampler joined the professional golf tour in October of 1950 and claimed his first title at the Long Island Open in 1952. He also won the Los Angeles Open in 1954. An Army veteran of World War II, he was inducted into the Indiana Golf Hall of Fame before his death of 1985.

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