Sports has led the way for this ALHS graduate

Published 12:00 pm Sunday, March 8, 2009

Participation in sports has always been part of Rich Oliphant’s life.

While attending and graduating from Albert Lea High School, Rich lettered three times each, in football, basketball and baseball. Oliphant broke his arm twice during his freshman basketball season, preventing him from playing football his sophomore year.

Oliphant was the starting quarterback during his junior and senior years in 1960 and 1961. He also kicked extra points and played defensive back.

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Albert Lea defeated Owatonna 27-13 in 1960 with Oliphant as quarterback for their first Big Nine Conference title since 1934, finishing with a 7-0-1 record. Oliphant was named WCCO State Prep Player of the Week, after a 7-7 tie game with Austin, which was played with 4,000 fans in attendance. He was also named to the WCCO All-State Defensive Team of the Year.

Oliphant’s coaches during high school were Jim Gustafson (head coach) and assistant Paul Erhard. Gustafson praised Oliphant as “The greatest leader I’ve seen on a football field.” He was also named to the All-Big Nine Conference football team both his junior and senior years.

While attending and graduating from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, lowa Oliphant played football and was starting quarterback in his junior and senior years.

In 1965 and 1966 he coached and taught math at Beaman Conrad High School in Iowa. In his first year of coaching football the team finished 4-4. The second year the team won the Mid-Iowa Conference title with a 7-2 record.

In 1968 Oliphant began his six-year coaching career at Blue Earth High School. Blue Earth won the South Central Conference titles in 1971 and 1972. Blue Earth lost to Burnsville in the semifinals of the Minnesota state playoffs. His six-year record at Blue Earth was 36-19.

In 1974 Oliphant started coaching for Faribault High School and the Falcons ended the season with a 5-4 record. He coached at Faribault for 26 years and compiled a record of 151-96. His 1976 team won nine games to win the Big Nine North Division, but lost to John Marshall in the conference championship game. Fairbault was the Big Nine Conference champion in 1990, but lost to Apple Valley in the section title game. In 1991 the Falcons again were the Big Nine champions, but lost in the section title game to Lakeville. In 1997 they were once again Big Nine Champions but lost again in the section title game. After leaving Faribault, Oliphant taught and coached at Lewis Central High School, a suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa, for three years.

Oliphant is married to the former Ann Galloway of Omaha, Neb. They are retired and reside in Albert Lea.

Oliphant has three children, Mike, Craig and Laura. Craig is an assistant varsity football coach at Osseo High school. The couple has five granddaughters and one grandson.

Oliphant enjoys spectator sports and attends games in Albert Lea and the surrounding area. He is also a fan of the Vikings and Twins.