Thiel College Athletics

Charles “Tod” Rissell was an athlete who played offensive tackle and end on the football team. The 1897 team was 1-0-0. After his contribution to this glorious victory, Rissell dedicated his life to Thiel athletics. Because of his long association with Thiel’s program in varsity sports, hundreds of alumni came to know Tod Rissell as the “Father of Athletics” at Thiel. He interrupted his college career to enlist for service in the Spanish American War. Following his discharge, he returned to Thiel and graduated with the class of 1900. He was elected to Thiel’s board of Trustees in 1911 and served until 1922.

In 1911, the faculty gave the students of Thiel permission to have a football team and also their support of athletics. Rissell became the central figure in Thiel athletics. He coached for the first two years and was then elected by the student body as graduate manager, a position he voluntarily held for at least 50 years. He served on Thiel’s athletic council until 1945. He supplied, in large part, the impetus for the building of the Thiel gymnasium which now bears his name.