Grinnell College Athletics Hall of Fame
Fred Little's ('17) impressive athletic record has propelled him to Grinnell's Athletic Hall of Fame. Known around campus as "Doc," he participated in varsity basketball, baseball, and football, and freshman track, earning letters in all four sports. Little's talents were most evident in football and baseball. In 1915, he earned First-Team All-Conference honors. As a senior, he was chosen to coach the freshman football team, an honor he decided to forgo in order to play on the varsity team. As a starting offensive end, Little was part of a football team that defied expectations and went undefeated for the season. Little's performance earned First-Team All-Conference honors in 1915. In addition, Little captained the baseball team and served as manager in the absence of an official coach. Little also had the highest batting average on the team, aided by the summers he spent playing in the minor leagues. Little was a member of the Honor G Men for baseball and football. An impressive scholastic record matches
his athletic achievements. Little's scholarship record was the highest in his class, earning him membership in Phi Beta Kappa. He also participated in many campus organizations, including Y.M.C.A., Debate Team, Student Council, Dramatic Club, and the Forum Literary Society. As a debater, Little won first place in the Spaulding Oratorical Contest. Outside Grinnell, Little's achievements continued. Little served as an officer in World War I and World War II; he also claimed the machine gun record of the 304th Infantry. He attended Harvard Law School after being awarded the Elliot Perkins Scholarship for Best All-Around Man in the State. Little went on to practice law in Boston and later in Des Moines. He joined the Des Moines Register as vice president and general counsel. Little also served the College as a trustee for six years.
