Earl Nolan

Inducted Class of 1998

Earl Nolan was a legendary athlete whose career spanned several sports. He excelled in sports at Tucson High School. At the University of Arizona as a football player, track and field competitor, boxer and wrestler he set records of high standards for those who followed. He was named by the Arizona Daily Star as tackle for the All-Time University of Arizona 11 Best Football Players. He also was the first U of A player to play professional football (Chicago Cardinals, 1937-38). Earl also lettered in track at the U of A in 1934, setting records and attaining high-point honors. In 1934 he set a meet record in the javelin at the dual meet with San Diego State that was not broken until 1967.

As a boxer for the U of A, Earl led the squad to Border Conference titles. He won the Southwestern Heavyweight Amateur Championship in 1934, 1935 and 1936. He won the Arizona Golden Gloves tournament and boxed professionally. Additionally, Earl won honors at the U of A as an intramural heavyweight wrestling champion in 1935-36, pitched baseball and was a weightlifter. Earl passed away April 6, 1991.