1953 Coyote Football Team playing Idaho State at Hayman Field
C of I Athletic Hall of Fame Inductions Oct. 3
The College of Idaho Athletic Hall of Fame will hold their tenth induction ceremony on Oct. 3 – as the greatest football team in school history will be among those receiving their place among the Coyote elite.
The 1953 Football Team, which recorded a perfect regular season, captured the outright Northwest Conference championship, and advanced to a bowl game, leads the group of inductees. Joining the gridiron greats are former coach Sam Vokes and coach and physical education instructor Shirley Kroeger.
Led by quarterback Boyd Crawford, halfbacks Ted Martin and Ed Bonaminio, ends R.C. Owens and Jack Kennevick, and lineman Joe Kahahawai, the 1953 Coyotes ran roughshod in the Northwest – including convincing victories over both Idaho State and Montana State. They would be selected for the Refrigerator Bowl in Evansville, Indiana – one of only six bowl games at the time, where they dropped a tough 14-12 decision to Sam Houston State.
A total of 15 players from the team will be in attendance at the induction ceremonies – including Owens, Crawford, Bonaminio, Gene Strehlou, John Park, Gary Collins, Bill Kundrat, George Shull, Rano Sullivan, Don Troyer, Harlan Geach, Chuck Ruby, Ted Shannon, Merla Cables, and Pete Douroux. Others will be represented by their families including Donna Shannon (Bill Shannon), Barbara Rich (Don Rich), Bernie Kahahawai (Joe Kahahawai), Joe Jakubowski (Walt), Ina Vokes (Sam Vokes), and Jerry Cole (Eddie Cole).
Also earning induction in the Hall of Fame is Vokes, who served as a coach at The C of I from 1952-55 in football, basketball, and baseball. He was the head coach of the 1953 football team, along with 1954-55 basketball team that completed a perfect 15-0 NWC record – led by Owens and NBA All-Star Elgin Baylor.
Completing the class is Kroeger, the First Lady of C of I athletics. She has been recognized as a pioneer in women’s physical education and an inspiration for a generations of men and women who have pursued a career in the teaching of physical education. From 1947-74, she oversaw the early evolution of women’s athletics at The C of I, and guided the program through the Title IX era of the early 1970’s. Additionally, she coached the C of I women’s field hockey team throughout her career.
A welcome reception will be held Thursday, Oct. 2, from 5-8 p.m. in the McCain Student Union, while the Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place Friday, Oct. 3, in the Simplot Dining Hall, beginning with a cocktail hour at 5 p.m. For more information, including tickets, contact Dick Carrow at 871-8863 or email The C of I Special Events and Conference Services department at jpilote@collegeofidaho.edu.