U. of Findlay to induct Ironton’s Fletcher into HOF
Published 2:14 am Tuesday, September 29, 2009
FINDLAY — Earl Fletcher, who graduated from Ironton High School in 1971, will be inducted into The University of Findlay’s Athletic Hall of Fame along with five others on Sataurday as part of Findlay’s homecoming celebration.
While at Ironton, Fletcher was selected to receive the Tiger Clan Scholarship Award as the best senior student/athlete.
Fletcher demonstrated the ideal of the well-rounded student-athlete while at Findlay College. A fleet-footed baseball center fielder, Fletcher earned two letters and batted .330 for his career, including a .400 mark as a junior when he earned First Team All-Hoosier Buckeye Collegiate Conference (HBCC) honors and received the Findlay College Batting Award.
Fletcher was also nominated for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Emil S. Liston Award as a junior, finishing high in the voting.
The Findlay College baseball team was HBCC champion in 1974 and co-champion in 1975, with Fletcher serving as a team co-captain in ’75.
These accomplishments reflect Fletcher’s philosophy of “One Team – One Dream. “If you work hard at your craft, whatever it is, within the boundaries and spirit of teamwork, great things can be accomplished.”
In 1974, Fletcher was the first junior to be selected as the head resident in a dormitory at Findlay College. He was named to the Dean’s List for all of his 12 quarters, graduating cum laude with a B.A. in accounting. Fletcher was selected for Who’s Who Among Students in Colleges and Universities in 1975.
Fletcher is one of eight founding members of the National Association of Black Accountants of Columbus, Ohio, in 1976. He received the Junior Achievement Bronze Award in 1985 as one of the organization’s 100 best instructors nationally.
Fletcher has served on the Columbus Regional UF Alumni Chapter for many years. He has been a plant and divisional controller, and is currently an assistant vice president and general manager for YSK Corp. He is a member of Supplier Associate Relations Group – Honda and a trustee for the Japanese American Society of Central Ohio.
Fletcher resides in Gahanna and has a daughter, Keah Marie Chilton.