Dr. Jim Houdeshell

Birthdate: February 1, 1931
Birthplace: Hancock County
High School: Rawson HS (1949)
College: University of Findlay (1953); Bowling Green (Master's), Indiana University (Ph.D)
Died: March 5, 2024
Year Inducted: 2019

A native of Rawson, Dr. Jim Houdeshell is a 1953 graduate of Findlay College (now known as the University of Findlay) who earned letters in basketball, baseball, and football. He returned to the school and served for 60 years in many administrative capacities including two stints as director of athletics. He was head basketball coach for 30 years, beginning in 1955.

His basketball teams had 21 winning seasons and compiled a 434-311 record. Sixteen of them qualified for the NAIA District 22 playoffs, and the Oilers advanced to the championship tournament three times. He was inducted in the FC Hall of Fame in 1975.

Houdeshell coached the U.S. Team in the Jones Cup international tournament in Brazil and the Argentine International Tournament in Buenos Aires.

He was president of the NAIA Basketball Coaches Association in 1962-64 and in 1990-91, and the NAIA Athletic Directors Association in 1981-82, as well as the National Association of Collegiate Athletic Directors in 2003-2004. He was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1981 and received the NAIA's Charles Morris Award in 2002.