Found Stories

The Solters of Fairmount: 1. Art; 2. Ab; 3. Dode; 4. Henry and 5. Jesse. Like their father, all five had the middle name “Edward.”

One hundred years ago, back when Fairmount College was young, one family forged the first Shocker sports dynasty.  The Solters, with five brothers participating in Fairmount athletics between 1901 and 1920, left a mark on not just the history of their alma mater, but on the sports they played, as well.

The eldest son of Henry “Ed” and Sophia Solter, Arthur “Art” '07 enrolled at Fairmount in 1901. Though he had never before seen a football, he quickly became a standout player. Art will be remembered forever as the first person to catch a legal forward pass in the famous Christmas game of 1905. Art also excelled at baseball and track, and came to be known as “the old warhorse.”

Albert “Ab” Solter '10 came next, winning fame as a powerful fullback. He was followed by George “Dode” '11, who set a record by earning 23 letters. Henry '15, a .400 hitter and celebrated pitcher on the baseball squad, continued the legacy, and Jesse '20 rounded out the family of champs with a state record in the high jump, not to mention a record-setting 74-yard punt on the football team. All five brothers played multiple sports.

The family has produced numerous Shockers in the century since, and remains a strong supporter of WSU athletics today.