Ralph "Pest" Welch

Sherman High School

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Inducted in 1973

Ralph Welch was a star player for Sherman in the 1920s. Sherman was knocked out of the 1925 playoffs by a UIL ruling that it had used an over-age player. On January 1, 1926 (the same day that Waco played Dallas Forest for the state championship) Sherman challenged national prep champion Bellefonte Academy of Pennsylvania to a game. Bellafonte won 47-6. Welch earned a scholarship to Purdue where he played right halfback from 1927-29. In 1929 he made consensus All-America on a Purdue team that was 8-0. Welch later served as an assistant for Jim Phelan, his old college coach, at the University of Washington from 1930-1941 (except for 1938). When Phelan took the job at St. Mary’s Welch was promoted to head coach. Welch led the Huskies from l942-47 and had a 27-20-3 record. His 1943 team earned a trip to the Rose Bowl but lost to USC 29-0.