Hall of Fame
In the world of sports, success is measured in wins, losses and championships. By this measuring stick alone, Glenn Drahn is worthy of induction in the Coe College Athletic Hall of Fame. But a review of his athletic accomplishments paints only part of the picture of this moral man of principle and character.
"He was the man we all wanted to be when we left Coe," said Michael Loehrer 68, who played baseball under Coach Drahn. "I can honestly say that I used him as a role model of how I wanted to treat my wife and raise my children.”
Army Reservist Michael Grady '67 received a letter from his former swimming coach while he was stationed in England four years ago. Though 35 years removed from Coe, Grady was brought back to campus by the words of an old friend. "His letter did a lot to improve my spirits while I was far from home," Grady said.
Coe Trustee Jerry Hughes '67 owes much of his career success to his former football coach. "I would not have graduated from Coe had it not been for Glenn," he said. "He cared about players as people and cared for their welfare."
My personal experience with Glenn Drahn began when I came to Coe as his football line coach. I was impressed by his deep affection for his wife, Elaine, and his family. The college family and academics were also a priority. His dedication and commitment to every student-athlete in the program was an important part of Glenn Drahn.
Dick Clausen and Harris Lamb, my coaches at Coe, and Glenn Drahn have been the most important people to influence my coaching philosophy. My toughest decision as a coach was the day I had to tell Glenn that I was taking a football job at the State College of Iowa.
With those sentiments as a background, I offer the following statistical justification for Glenn Drahn's Hall of Fame induction.
Glenn was a standout prep athlete at Elkader Central and went on to play football and baseball at the University of lowa, earning three letters in each sport. He held Iowa's punting record (averaging 42.9 yards) for a quarter century until someone named Reggie Roby came along. His pitching record of 29 2/3 scoreless innings also stood for a quarter century until it was topped by Mike Boddicker.
After college, Glenn was selected in the 25* round of the 1951 NFL draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. He continued to play baseball on several semi-pro teams and in the M&j League in Cedar Rapids while officiating high school sports for 10 years. He coached at Belle Plaine for three years before coming to Coe, where he coached football, baseball, basketball and tennis and, as athletics director through the 1960s, initiated and coached the men's swimming team.
He was head coach of three straight Midwest Conference Champion baseball teams from 1958-60. He was assistant coach of conference champion football teams in 1958 and 1959 and head coach of Coe's only football champions of the 1960s, the 7-1 team of 1964.
Glenn is third behind Moray Eby and D.J. LeRoy in all-time football coaching victories at Coe with 49, but more important is the legacy of a good coach and a great human being. It is my privilege to present Glenn Drahn for induction into the Coe College Athletic Hall of Fame.
