Ellison Ketchum Papers

Collection

Identifier: M029

Staff Only

Abstract

Ellison Ketchum graduated from the University of Denver, Denver, Colorado in 1930 after winning 10 varsity letters and all conference honors in football and basketball. He served as coach for the University of Denver freshmen basketball and football teams from 1930-1932. He left to coach high school sports and returned in 1936 as head freshman coach. He was named assistant football coach and head basketball coach in 1939. He was appointed Athletic Director in 1942. He left the University from 1943-1945 to coach the Navy Air Corps basketball team. He returned to the University of Denver and served as Athletic Director until 1950.

This collection includes photographs, newspaper clippings, and scrapbooks of Ellison Ketchum's life and activities including his high school days, his years as a University student, and his career as a coach and Athletic Director at the University of Denver.

Dates

1908-1952

Creator

Ketchum, Ellison, 1908-1960 (Person)

Biographical / Historical

Ellison Ketchum was born in 1908 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He excelled in high school sports, and continued at the University of Denver in football, basketball and baseball. At the time of his graduation in 1930, he had earned ten varsity letters and all-conference honors in football, basketball and baseball. He remained on campus until 1932 as a freshmen football coach.

After teaching and coaching at Yuma and Longmont high schools in Colorado, he returned to his alma mater in 1936 as head freshman coach. In 1939 he became assistant football coach and head basketball coach. In 1940, Ketchum drilled his ''Krazy Kids'' basketball team to a standard of excellence. He also served as Athletic Director.

After leaving the University of Denver, he coached for the Navy Air Corps from 1943 through 1945. Ketchum was then appointed Executive Director of the Labor-Management Citizens Commission for the City and County of Denver. He passed away in 1960.

Extent

1.5 Linear Feet (1 record box, 1 letter document box)

Additional Description

Scope and Contents

The Ketchum papers consist of a variety of materials relating to Ketchum's interest in sports, including newspaper clippings and photographs. The collection also includes miscellaneous ephemera related to athletic competitions. There are four scrapbooks containing newspaper clippings and photographs.