Oberlin, Ohio - The Oberlin College John W. Heisman Club will officially enshrine five new members into its Hall of Honor on Saturday, June 4 during commencement weekend.

Longtime equipment room attendants Vera Peterson and Larry Ramey join Ben Mercer '50, George Andrews '54 and Bon Piron as those who will be inducted.

"We are excited to be celebrating these fabulous contributors of our Oberlin community," Associate Vice President for Athletics Advancement and Delta Lodge Director of Athletics & Physical Education Natalie Winkelfoos said. "All five of them have empowered Oberlin College Athletics and its stakeholders to pursue excellence.  We are proud to be connected to Vera, Larry, Ben, George and Bob."

The Hall of Honor ceremony will take place from 3 – 4:30 p.m. inside the lobby of Philips Gym on June 4. To RSVP for the event, please contact Creg Jantz via email at cjantz@oberlin.edu. 

Vera Peterson
Vera Peterson served the Oberlin College athletics department as an equipment room attendant in Philips Philips Gym for nearly four decades. From 1980-2018, Peterson was a familiar face to thousands of student-athletes, coaches, and administrators throughout the halls of Philips Gym. Her favorite part of the job was interacting with and learning about the students from all over the country and beyond. 

Often found at multiple sporting events herself, Peterson especially enjoyed football games and anything that took place in the gym. While she spent most of her hours in 'the cage', Peterson made it a point to hit the treadmill almost daily throughout her tenure with the College. 

Larry Ramey
For 39 years from 1981-2020, Larry Ramey was beloved by coaches, student-athletes, and administrators as a member of the Oberlin College equipment staff. Working with a multitude of legendary coaches throughout his tenure, Ramey's service to the Oberlin College football team, specifically, was unmatched. 

Respected by all who worked with him, Ramey was a 'buddy' to all of the student-athletes who got to know him through the years. When he wasn't fixing equipment or washing uniforms, Ramey enjoyed his time on the water as an avid fisherman. 

Ben Mercer '50
The love Ben Mercer has for Oberlin College has run deep through his veins for over 70 years. After originally playing on the football team his freshman year, Mercer suffered an injury that put an end to his playing days, however, he went to be student trainer for the athletics department, often spending up to 20 hours a week tending to injured players. The Cleveland Plain Dealer even did an article on him where a quote appeared in the piece stating: "If the bruised and battered Oberlin College Yeoman are able to finish the football season all in one piece it will be due in no small part to the ministrations of Ben L. Mercer, the official trainer." 

After a 38-year career with International Harvester and Navistar, he retired in 1989. In 1999, he and some former housemates who lived in the 'white house' during their time on campus created the "White House Scholarship" to commemorate their days at Oberlin, to honor their lifelong friendships, to memorialize their deceased housemates, and to recognize the importance of their participation in college athletics. 

Mercer, who has played a vital role in sustaining the scholarship fund for over 20 years, has been active within the Heisman Club and has attended countless Yeomen football games throughout the years. 

George Andrews '54
Throughout his life, George Andrews has dedicated his time, talents, and wisdom to Oberlin College. Starting out as a gridiron warrior as a member of the football team from 1950-54, Andrews, a fifth generation Oberlin graduate, later returned to the College as a mathematics professor from 1962-1997. During that time, he worked closely with the athletics department as an NCAA faculty representative. Assisting in the formation of the North Coast Athletic Conference, Andrews' fondness for Oberlin Athletics was second to none. 

A former play-by-play announcer for the football team, he would also volunteer as a timer at numerous track and swimming meets throughout the years, including 1977 and 1981 when the NCAA Division III national championships were held at OC's Robert Carr Pool. 

A regular fan-in-the-stands during his tenure, George particularly found enjoyment in cheering on his children and later grandchildren as they competed for the Yeomen and Yeowomen. 

A 2005 recipient of the The Alumni Medal, which is the highest honor that the Alumni Association awards, Andrews also served as the interim director of athletics in the early 2000s. His legacy continues to live on annually with the naming of the Andrews Family Award winners at the athletic department's year-end awards ceremony.

Bob Piron
An Economics professor at Oberlin College for 46 years from 1961-2007, Bob Piron also served the college for many years on a volunteer basis as both an assistant and head coach for the men's and women's tennis programs. As a head coach, he led the Yeomen to the Ohio Athletic Conference Championship in 1969. 

A longtime member of the General Faculty Athletics Committee, Piron ran a yearly youth tennis campus to serve the local committee while employing the current college players as instructors. His camps often included a visit from tennis icon and social activist  Billie Jean King.

As one who enjoyed seeing the success of others, Piron's passion for his students and infinity for the tennis programs is unmatched.