The late James Allen Creel began his Bluffton collegiate career as a leader both in sports and student organizations. In 1934, Creel’s freshman year, he was elected class president and held an exclusive backfield post the entire football season. He became involved in basketball, baseball and track as well. Creel began making a name for himself as the most versatile athlete at Bluffton. Creel played for Bluffton during the A.C. Burcky era.
“In athletics, under our fine coach and gentleman A.C. Burcky, I learned how to win graciously and lose gracefully, a lesson that has aided me countless times since my graduation from Bluffton.”
Creel was a part of the 1937 football team that Coach Burcky called, “…the best team we have had in the history of Bluffton College.” His rushing and receiving that year made Bluffton a formidable competitor.
In basketball his freshman year, Creel began a reputation of aggressive play on the court. The 1934 Ista described him as having “natural basket-getting superiority” and “aggressive guarding tactics.” His basketball talents increased during his four years at Bluffton and in a game in 1937 against Findlay College, he scored an impressive 24 points.
Creel also earned respect in baseball and track, and by his fourth year he held 11 athletic letters.
Creel believed that relating well with people is very important. “The four years I spent at Bluffton taught me how to live with other people on a day-to-day basis and respect their way of life. In whole I learned not only academically, but tolerance and understanding as well.”
Creel died in 2000.
