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Western Michigan University Athletics

Hall of Fame - O

*All inductee information current up to the year they were inducted. 

John Offerdahl
Football, 1982-85
Inducted 1996
Ft. Atkinson, Wisconsin
  • Third-team Associated Press All-American linebacker in 1984 and second-team in1985 along with being Mid-American Conference “defensive player of the year.” Set Conference career record for tackles (694). Western career leader for recovered fumbles (8) and No. 2 for forced fumbles (16).
  • Topped MAC in tackles (1983-85) and was second as a freshman in 1982. His 192 stops in 1983 is a Bronco season standard. His college uniform number of 49 was retired by WMU in 1995.
  • Picked to play in the East-West Shrine and Senior Bowl All-Star game and was “defensive most valuable” player of the latter contest.
  • Second-round (53rd overall) draft by the NFL Miami Dolphins in 1986 and selected for Pro Bowls in each of first five seasons. Bothered by injuries the next three years and retired prior to 1994 season.
  • Started a successful chain of bagel shops in 1989, which became part of the coast-to-coast Noah Bagel Company.

Jim Oliphant
Track and Field, 1959-62
Inducted 2011
Detroit, Michigan
  • Earned six first-place finishes and a pair of second-place finishes in the MAC Championships as a freshman
  • Set freshman high jump record with a jump of 6-2 ½ against Bowling Green
  • Jumped 6-10 ½ and set the Fieldhouse record at The University of Michigan
  • Recorded nine first-place finishes and seven second-place finishes in the MAC Championships as a sophomore
  • Tied WMU high jump record of 6-6 ½ feet twice during sophomore season
  • Six first-place and second-place finishes during junior season
  • Set WMU high jump record with a 6-7 ½ feet jump against Miami
  • Ranked sixth in the nation and finished third in high jump in NCAA Championships
  • Had five first-place finishes and four second-place finishes in the MAC Championships as a senior
  • Broke own record high jump record with a jump of 6-8 ½ feet against Bowling Green
  • Ranked ninth in the nation and finished ninth in high jump at NCAA Championships

Walt Olsen
Football, 1915-17, 19
Basketball, 1916-18, 20
Baseball, 1916-17, 19-20
Inducted 1975
Bay City, Michigan
  • Led nation in football scoring with 138 points, in 1916, a figure that is still a Western Michigan season record. Holds game marks for touchdowns (8), extra points (10) and total points (52).
  • Still holds Western career scoring record (253) and his touchdown figure of 32 stood for another 59 years.
  • Was seventh enlisted man to join newly-formed Army Tank Corps in France during World War I, which was directed by legendary future commanders Eisenhower and Patton.
  • Coach (1935-43) and athletic director (1935-46) at Bay City Central High, compiling a 39-29-9 record in football.
  • Member of 75th anniversary football team (1906-81).

Mark O’Malley
Gymnastics, 1974-77
Inducted 2005
Taylor, Michigan
  • Nissen Award nominee, presented to the nation’s top gymnast
  • Captured 11 individual titles at four Lake Erie League championship meets
  • Led the Broncos to a pair of Lake Erie League team championships
  • Owned five school records in floor exercise and all-around upon graduation

Fred Orlofsky
Coach
Inducted 1992
North Bergen, N.J.
  • A graduate of Southern Illinois University where he won 1961 NCAA still rings championship and was runner-up for all-around honors in 1961-63. Member of 1960 U.S. Olympic and 1963 Pan-American Games teams and for the 1962 World Championships.
  • The only men’s gymnastics coach in the program’s 30-year Western Michigan University history, starting it in 1967.
  • Won 10 Great Lakes League titles over a 14-year period and his 1995 team own National Independent championship. Produced four All-American performers and 15 NCAA qualifiers.
  • Has worked as a judge at numerous international meets including the World University Goodwill, Pan-American and Olympic Games.
  • Inducted in Gymnastics Hall of Fame as a competitor and coach (1985) and Southern Illinois Athletic Hall of Fame (1980).

Frank “Stubby” Overmire
Baseball, 1939-41
Inducted 1977
Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • Compiled 20-7 career pitching record, establishing a Western Michigan record for wins that was not broken for 41 years.
  • Had 163 strikeouts and only 23 walks over 225 1/3 innings. Pitched only perfect game in school history.
  • Had a 36-year career in professional baseball as a player, minor league manager and coach, major league pitching coach with the Detroit Tigers and a scout.
  • Pitched 10 American League seasons with Detroit, St. Louis Browns and New York Yankees and saw action in 1945 World Series with champion Tigers.
  • Inducted in second membership class of Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame (1976).