Adolph “Ziggy” Hamblin: Galesburg HS & Knox College Legend

Adolph “Ziggy” Hamblin- 2nd from left- 1914 GHS Elite 8 team.

Adolph “Ziggy” Hamblin was a 1915 graduate of Galesburg High School, and a 1920 graduate of Knox College. By all accounts, he may have been one of the most well-rounded athletes to ever play sports at GHS or Knox. 

At GHS, Ziggy played football (4 years), basketball (3 years), and track (4 years. Although it is hard to ascertain, it appears that Hamblin won 8 varsity letters at GHS. As a sophomore, he was not a member of the varsity basketball team that won the State Championship. He was on the varsity football and track teams all four years. Ziggy was a member of Galesburg’s Elite 8 basketball team his junior year in 1914. 

Ziggy as Soph on 1912-3 GHS football team. 
Ziggy is first row, 2nd from left. 

In track, Hamblin was GHS’s best sprinter all four years, consistently winning the 50, 100, and 220. In football, Hamblin was a speedy back that scored regularly and on defense was combined sure tackling with his speed to be a dominate defender. 

Ziggy Hamblin is the first African-American to play basketball at GHS. No other African-American would play basketball for Galesburg HS for over thirty years. 

At Knox College, Hamblin became the ONLY 16 varsity letter winner in the school’s history. Ziggy won 4 letters each in football, basketball, track, and baseball. 

Ziggy as college football coach. 

After graduation, Hamblin went on to be a biology teacher and coach at West Virginia State College. He taught biology for 45 years. The college named their science building after Hamblin for his service to the school. 

At some point, Ziggy coached football, basketball, and baseball at the college. He was most known as the football coach during his time at W. Virginia State. He coached football from 1921-1944. Hamblin’s 1936 football team won the Black College National Championship. 

Hamblin as freshman on 1911-2 GHS track team.
Front row, 2nd from left. 



The following is the Knox College Hall of Fame description of Ziggy Hamlin’s achievements.