Hall of Fame

Home ››
Athletics ››
Hall Of Fame

The concept for the Alma College Athletic Hall of Fame was an outgrowth of a series of three lettermen dinners held at various locations in the late 1960s to rekindle alumni enthusiasm and enlist support for the development of adequate athletic and recreational facilities. The initial Hall of Fame event was staged at the former Olds Plaza Hotel in Lansing on May 25, 1971.

Alma was the first Michigan college or university and one of the first in the nation to establish a Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame's purpose as originally stated was noble:

"It is the intent of the Alma College Hall of Fame to celebrate the past, present and future of Alma College through the recognition of excellence in those who have made significant contributions to the Scots' athletic tradition."

Click Here to submit nominations for the Alma College Hall of Fame

John Hitchens, Jr.

Hall of Fame Athlete (2000)
Track & Field
Class of 1979

- Inducted into the Hall of Fame as an individual athlete.
- Participated in track & field.
- Three-time All-MIAA in track and field, 1977, 1978, and 1979.
- Three-time All-MIAA Champion in high jump, 1977, 1978, and 1979.
- All-American in 1978.
- Sixth in high jump at 1978 NCAA Championships.
- School record-holder in high jump at time of induction.

Go Back

The Alma College Percussion Ensemble performed at the prestigious Centrum Jazz Festival, an international festival in Port Townsend, Wash., in July 2007. Alma was the only college group invited to perform. "It's a huge honor," says faculty director Dave Zerbe. "You can't apply to perform there; they seek you out."...

Coach Profile

Gordon Aldrich

Gordon Aldrich was a late addition to the Alma College Coaching Staff in the summer of 2007. Coach Aldrich has joined the Alma College Family as the Cross Country and Track and Field Head Coach.

During his 26 years as a varsity Boy’s and Girl’s Cross Country Coach, Aldrich has won a Girls Open State Championship (1978), a Girls State Championship (1995), two Boy’s State Championships (1994, 1997), and was Runner-up on seven other occasions. During the same time, Aldrich coached teams to 17 conference championships, was nominated for the Michigan Interscholastic Track Coaches Association Coach of the Year 12 times for cross country, and walked away with the award four times (1994, 1995, 1996, and 1998). He was also named the Boy’s Cross Country National Coach of the Year in 1999 by the National Federation Interscholastic Coaches Association.

Aldrich was also honored with Michigan High School Coaches Association Track Coach of the Year in 1985 and 1998, and has received the Charles Sweeney Michigan Coaches Hall of Fame Track and Field Award.