Heidelberg University Athletics

A native of Tiffin and graduate of Columbian High School, Norman McElheny earned his first college football letter in 1944 as a freshman on Ohio State's undefeated Big Ten Championship team. Following his freshman year "Mac" spent two years serving in the U.S. Navy. As was often the case with returning servicemen back in the war years, upon his discharged from the Navy, Mac decided a smaller school was for him, and Heidelberg was his choice.

McElheny entered Heidelberg in 1946 and would go on to play for four years on the Student Prince football team. A kicker and offensive tackle, Mac helped the 'Berg to a 5-2-1 finish in 1946 and a 7-1 record as a sophomore in 1947.

The 1948 team, in addition to finishing 9-0 overall, swept through seven Ohio Conference games unscathed and was crowned OAC champ. It was Heidelberg's first Ohio Conference championship in 20 years, and marked the first of four crowns the Tricolor would win over the next 11 seasons. Mac was second-team All-Conference and All-Ohio honorable mention offensive tackle, helping the 'Berg to 299 points.

The '49 team scored 368 points while going 8-1 and Mac closed out his college career with his selection as honorable mention All-Conference. After graduating from Heidelberg in the spring of 1950, Mac moved on to Hilliard High School where he was assistant football and basketball coach, and head baseball coach. The following year McElheny became head football coach, a position he would hold for 21 years. His teams won 110 games during that time, including the Mid-Eight League championship four years in a row, 1959-62. Mac finished that four-year dominance of the Mid-Eight by being named "Central Ohio Coach of the Year."

Fifteen years after graduating from Heidelberg Mac finished work on his master's degree, receiving it from Ohio State University in 1965.

Football was not the only sport at Hilliard that McElheny contributed to. He coached track from 1951-57 and reserve basketball from 1951-54. He started the sport of wrestling at the school and coached it in 1957-58. He also initiated tennis, coaching it in 1972. Mac became athletic director in 1958 and served. in that capacity until his retirement in 1984. In 1980 he was inducted into the Ohio High School Athletic Directors Hall of Fame.

McElheny is married to 1951 Heidelberg graduate, Joan Root. The two still reside in Hilliard.

(This profile appeared in the 1988 Hall of Fame Banquet program.  McElheny passed away in May, 2016.)