Hall of Fame
Rudolph J. Hurka, Jr. truly fulfilled an ideal that has enriched the Coe athletic tradition for decades. He was an outstanding example of the scholar/athlete, the student who excelled both on the field and in the classroom. Track was his sport and he won three letters and was co-captain in 1932. He was the Midwest Conference 440-yard champion runner. In 1931, he was a member of Coe's championship relay team, and in 1932 a member of the 880-yard relay team that set a Coe record. But, Rud, as he is known to generations of Coe alumni and friends, also set records in the classroom. He graduated Summa Cum Laude and had the highest grade point average in the Class of 1932. His academic course was not light. He graduated with a triple major in chemistry, mathematics, and physics. In 1931 and 1932, he won the coveted Courtney Award given the track man with the best academic record. Rudolph Hurka attended graduate school at Columbia University. A chemist and inventor, he was a founding partner in the firm of Carothers and Hurka Consulting Chemists. That firm was in business from 1941 to 1976, and Rud still works as a consulting chemist. He was on active duty in the Army from 1942 through 1946 as a test officer in various weapons projects. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after 17 years in the U.S. Army Reserve. Outside the classroom at Coe, Rud played in the band, was active in Scabbard and Blade and R.O.T.C., and he was elected to Phi Kappa Phi honorary. In recognition of skillful performances on the track and in the classroom, as well as activities in the band and R.O.T.C., we recognize Rudolph J. Hurka, Jr. as worthy of membership in the Kohawk Athletic Hall of Fame and welcome him to that fellowship of great Coe athletes.
