June 17, 2010
By Samantha Franz
Athletic Communications
All one has to do is step foot inside the Athletics Center O'Rena to see the presence of Hollie Lepley. His name adorns the Hall of Honor. The remains of the Lepley Center basketball court are frequently touched by Oakland University student-athletes for luck before games. Even the building itself would not have become what it is today without the foundation laid down by the man synonymous with Oakland athletics.
Lepley wore many hats during his lifetime: Father of two. Loving husband. War veteran. Advocate for health education. And, of course, the original Oakland Pioneer.
Keeping up with Dad
As John Lepley, Hollie's eldest son can attest to, the Lepley children learned early in life to develop a quick step.
"My brother, Chuck, and I spent most of our lives following him around and I think that's why our strides are so long," said Lepley. "To keep up with Dad, you had to know how to walk!"
And Hollie was indeed constantly on the move. A three-sport athlete at Carroll College in Waukesha, Wis., Lepley was recruited by the Navy upon his graduation, where he trained Navy sea pilots in survival tactics. He bounced around to various stations, including Miami, Corpus Christi, Texas and Norman, Okla.
After his time serving his country, Lepley was hired to coach the swimming and tennis programs at the University of Nebraska in the late 1940s. He also spread his passion for human health through athletics by teaching physiology classes, setting an early example for his two sons.
"He always had an interest for young people and their involvement in sports, making sure they knew the importance of being physically healthy," said Lepley. "He didn't smoke, didn't drink and as an athlete himself, he knew the benefits of keeping an active lifestyle."
In the 1950s, Lepley was brought to Michigan by both Oakland University and the Pontiac School District to oversee the development of their growing athletic departments. By 1959, Lepley was appointed Oakland's first-ever Director of Athletics, a position he would serve for more than 13 years and would continue to work at Oakland for years afterward.
"My father's life was at Oakland," said Lepley. "He would easily spend 10-12 hours a day at the athletics building. Chuck and I spent plenty of time there as well, which was fun for us because we got to use the facilities and spend time with him."
Hollie's passion for Oakland University was contagious. Even his wife got in on the fun, volunteering countless hours at the Wilson Estate (now Meadowbrook Mansion), conducting tours and cataloguing information. As her son John described it, if her husband was going to spend a lot of time there, she may as well too.
Building a Legacy
With all the pots Lepley had cooking, it's no wonder he was such a busy man. Before the birth of Oakland's intercollegiate athletics program in 1964, Lepley was a key factor in organizing recreation and club sport programs. He also worked with architects in designing the athletics center that would later bear his name, and played a lead role in Oakland's entry into the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. He even had a hand in the design of the Katke-Cousins Golf Course, as well as helping break ground on outdoor facilities.
Of course, he carried the torch of human health advocacy to Oakland as well, upstarting health education programs, including a minor of study in physical education.
"He was so devoted to Oakland," said his wife, Margaret. "He developed everything he could."
But despite his busy schedule, he always made time for his loved ones, designating time to make sure work never stepped in the way of his family.
"He was a great husband and a wonderful father to his children," said Margaret. "Despite all the work he did on a daily basis, he was always soft-spoken and in constant good spirits. In fact, many people nicknamed him 'Jolly Hollie.'"
Hollie's two sons eventually went on to law school and became attorneys in Colorado and John credits his father for instilling values and rules in their household growing up to their success.
"Dad taught us about responsibility and consequences, which is why I think we were both able to make it through law school and stay out of trouble," said Lepley. "With a calm force, he taught us about doing the right thing and he passed these same ideals down to his student-athletes."
Setting a Standard
Upon his retirement from Oakland in 1979, the wheels were set into motion for the Pioneers' growth into the future. When the Hall of Honor was founded in 1984, it was no question who would be in the inaugural class, not to mention its namesake.
But it wasn't just the laundry list of accomplishments that was honored. What made Lepley a legacy at Oakland was his gentle personality.
"My father's character spoke for itself," said John. "He was kind, patient and never asked anything of anybody except honesty. He was willing to help anybody and at any time."
Even though Lepley passed away in 2001 at the age of 89, his legacy lives on across the university. In fact, the Hollie. L. Lepley award that is now bestowed upon one male and one female student-athlete each year embodies all of the qualities Lepley encouraged in every student-athlete he encountered: academic achievement, athletic success and dedication to community service.
"Hollie was instrumental in the birth of Oakland athletics," said current Director of Athletics Tracy Huth. "His work ethic, moral code, loyalty and dedication to the development of the athletics program have forever set a standard of excellence at Oakland University."
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