Hayden “Dub” Fouts
One has to search a long time to find as varied a career in sports and life activities as that of Hayden Fouts. He was the epitome of the “all-around” athlete at Ashland High School in the late 1920’s before the age of specialization in one or two sports. Graduating in 1927, he had earned nine varsity letters and starred in football, basketball, baseball, and track. He captained the basketball team that season which was the best record wise, 14-2 to that date, losing only to Mansfield in overtime and Akron central. They later defeated both teams. “Dub” was named to the 2nd District All Tournament Team. The Tourney at that time was played in Cleveland.
Football found him playing end as a junior and fullback the next season as well as doing the kicking. Three varsity years of baseball, the last under Coach Sid Boyd, found him catching and later on the mound.
Not satisfied with only three sports he took up track for two years and was a consistent winner in the shot put, discus, and javelin.
Fouts won his freshman numerals as a fullback at Ohio State, but dropped out of school to become swimming instructor at the Columbus Y.M.C.A. His high school coach, Harry Barnhart, was appointed head coach at Findlay College so Fouts enrolled there. Playing on the same football team was Cloyce Taylor, whom Fouts followed as captain his senior year. As a sophomore, the student body voted him “best around athlete”, having played football, basketball, and baseball. Usually a catcher in high school, independent ball, and college, he was used as a pitcher at Findlay and became a star on the mound.
Recommended by pitcher Eddie Wells of the Yankees, Fouts was notified to report to spring training in February, 1931 at St. Petersburg. He left college early to try out for the team that boasted Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Tony Lazzeri, Eddie Wells, and many other greats.
His career in teaching and coaching spanned many years: at Attica 1933-36, Carey 1937-39 in all sports, and football at Middletown 1937-42. In November, 1841, he was inducted into training for the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Fouts later went into public school administration at Sandusky until 1959 and at Mansfield until 1974. The year of 1972 saw him elected to the Findlay College Hall of Fame and was Ohio Elementary Principal’s golf champion. In recent years he has designed and built miniature golf courses.
“Dub” now resides in Largo, Florida, with his wife, Ann.
Nominator: Robert Mount
Presenter: Bob Jones
