Beloit College

In 1894, Beloit alumni interested in seeing the athletic program expand provided funds to hire a coach for one year.  The subsequent appointment of John Hollister as the first physical training instructor and coach began a rich athletic tradition at the College.  As a Williams College undergraduate, Hollister excelled in football and baseball and received high praise as an all-around athlete.  He brought to Beloit the same skills and enthusiasm, and successfully united baseball, football, track, and tennis under single management.  Under his patient direction, interest in athletics grew, and the individual and team efforts of his players soon produced victories over powerful university rivals.  Hollister left Beloit to complete law studies at the University of Michigan, then returned in 1899 to guide the College’s athletic fortunes to a new high level of success.  His efforts also led to the 1904 construction of the Smith Gymnasium.  Hollister completed his coaching career at Morningside College in Iowa and later served as a publishing company executive in Chicago, where he died in 1950 at the age of 80.