RALPH NOLAN
1913-1995
Inducted – 2004

In the highly-intense game of basketball, Ralph Nolan stayed cool, calm and collected … and won a pair of national championships along the way. Nolan guided St. Benedicts College (now Benedictine College) to two NAIA national basketball championships – in 1954 and 1967 - and compiled a record of 312-174 from 1950-70. He is one of five coaches named to the All-Century NAIA team. Nolan led the Ravens to six appearances in the NAIA National Tournament in Kansas City – 1953, ’54, ’58, ’65, ’67 and ’70. In the NAIA tourney, Nolan-coached teams compiled a sparkling 13-4 record. His 1954 team defeated Western Illinois in the title game. In 1967, led by All-American Darryl Jones, St. Benedicts lived up to its No. 1 ranking by defeating Oklahoma Baptist, 71-65, in the finals. Nolan coached at both Bishop Ward High School and St. Agnes (now Bishop Miege) before turning to college coaching. In addition to coaching basketball at St. Benedicts for 20 years, Nolan also coached football and golf and served as the Athletic Director. He was Inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1969 and the gymnasium where Benedictine College now plays its games is named in his honor. Born April 2, 1913. Died January 5, 1995. Graduated Bishop Ward Catholic H.S. (KC, KS) 1930; St. Benedict’s College, Atchison, KS. 1939.