(from left) Hollie Lepley, Corey VanFleet, Kathy Hewelt, Paul Karas, Carvin Melson

Hollie Lepley, founding father of Oakland University athletics, was appointed Director of Athletics in 1959 and continued in that position until 1972. He set up extensive intramural recreation and club sport programs. Under his strong leadership the Oakland University athletic program was initiated in 1964. The first sports were cross country, soccer, basketball and swimming. Lepley was instrumental in the formation of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Conference. He played a significant role in planning the Oakland University Katke-Cousins Golf Gorse. He contributed to the design of the athletic building, now named in his honor, and he developed many of the outdoor facilities. He also began many educational programs including a minor in physical education. Lepley retired from Oakland in 1979 as a professor of education. His love of athletics, his outstanding code of ethics, and his willingness to give generously of both his time and talent to the betterment of others set a standard of excellence for human service at Oakland University.