History of the Club
John William Heisman (1869-1936) was the first professional football coach at Oberlin College. In 1892, he led the Yeomen football team to a perfect 7-0 record. In those days of high-powered football, the '92 Oberlin grid squad defeated both Ohio State and Michigan and was ranked with Minnesota and Purdue as one of the three best teams west of the Allegheny Mountains.

Nearly a century later, Oberlin alumni and friends honored Heisman's memory by forming the John William Heisman Club. Created in 1978, its objective was to strengthen the entire intercollegiate athletics program. Almost one-quarter of a million dollars was raised over three years, with the initial emphasis directed at stabilizing the football program.

Through generous contributions, the members of the Heisman Club have endowed the football program for 10 years and supported the athletics program in general by endowing two coaching positions, one for a women's and one for a men's intercollegiate sport, for three years each. These positions have continued since 1981 with general college funding.

In 1985, Heisman Club members voted to transfer responsibility for the Club and its activities from the Development Office to the Department of Athletics and Physical Education, shifting its focus from just fund raising to include a wider range of services. The Heisman Club is now a permanent organization of alumni and friends interested in supporting athletics in the Oberlin tradition.

The Club is managed by a board of directors elected by the membership for rotating terms. The board acts on behalf of the Heisman Club on all matters of policy.

Mission Statement
The John W. Heisman Club (Heisman Club) believes that participation in athletics can have a profound and lasting impact on our student-athletes. Our priority is to enthusiastically support the competitive goals of the Oberlin College Athletics Department and its key stakeholders.

We believe Oberlin must: 
• ensure opportunities for student-athletes and prospective student-athletes to pursue competitive excellence in varsity sports and academic endeavors

• deliver physical education, wellness programming and facilities that are inclusive, allowing the entire Oberlin community to pursue goals and dreams, regardless of ability

• strengthen the relationships between all members of our diverse and vibrant community through a commitment to athletics, health and wellness

STRATEGY of SUPPORT and SUCCESS

The Heisman Club will support Oberlin College by:
• Funding initiatives and improvements that support athletics along with health and wellness programming
• Encouraging members of the Heisman Club to actively support the Club and, through the Club, athletics at Oberlin
• Elevating the profile of Oberlin student-athletes and stakeholders by providing recognition of their accomplishments
• Providing financial support directly to the Delta Lodge Director of Athletics and Physical Education to ensure that (s)he has a degree of autonomy from College-wide financial directives
• Enhancing the athletic experience with a connection to life after graduation

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