Nichols, John Herbert, 1890-1979

Physical educator, athletic administrator, camp owner, and director. Born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1890 and raised in Marietta, Ohio where he excelled in high school sports. In 1911, he graduated from Oberlin College where he earned nine athletic letters and all-Ohio honors. He received the M.D. degree from Rush Medical College at the University of Chicago in 1916. At Chicago, he met the legendary football coach Amos Alonzo Stagg (1862-1965) and refereed scrimmages for him, leading to a position as a Big Ten official, officiating over 250 games. In 1916, he became head of the physical education division at Ohio State University, and served a period with the medical corps in World War I. In 1928, he returned to his alma mater Oberlin College and served the physical education department until his retirement in 1955. Nichols was also associated with Camp Pemigewassett in Wentworth, New Hampshire. In 1910, he became a counselor there, and in 1920 became a partner. He served the camp continuously until his death in 1979.