Athletic Hall of Fame
John Felten ’63 received his BA in education from Concordia. He earned his MA in secondary education from Kent State University in 1973.
Felten lettered two years in basketball and one year in baseball and cross-country after transferring from Concordia-St. Paul. He played guard on two of the winningest basketball teams in Cougar history (20 and 19 wins) and contributed to the program’s first two NCAA appearances in 1962 and 1963. The 1961-62 Cougars recorded their first-ever regional win when they defeated Illinois State. The 1962-63 team won 13 consecutive games, earned a CIT championship and played in the regionals against Evansville (led by future Chicago Bull Jerry Sloan).
Upon graduation, Felten received a call to Lutheran West High School in Rocky River, OH where he would serve as teacher and coach for 39 years. Sports coached or assisted with include boys’ basketball, cross-country, football, softball, and boys’ track and field. Felten taught Old Testament, New Testament, social studies, physical education and health until his retirement in
Felten’s induction into the Cougar Athletic Hall of Fame will mark his third such recognition. He was previously inducted into the halls at Concordia-St. Paul as an athlete and Lutheran West High School as a coach. Felten remains active in competitive basketball, participating in both Senior Olympics Basketball tournaments and National Masters Basketball tournaments (70 and over division).
