John F. Christhilf
Encyclopedia
John Fout Christhilf was an American lacrosse
player, civil engineer
, and Air Force
officer. He played college lacrosse at the University of Maryland
from 1934 to 1936, and led the nation in scoring as a senior. Christhilf was inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1972.
, and played lacrosse from 1928 to 1932. Christhilf then attended college at the University of Maryland
, where he played on the lacrosse team, and was a member of the Reserve Officer Training Corps, Scabbard and Blade
, Kappa Alpha Order
, and the Engineering Society. Christhilf earned varsity letters in 1934, 1935, and 1936. The United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association
named him to the All-America
second team in 1935 at the out home position, and The Baltimore Sun
placed him on its All-Maryland Lacrosse Team first team. The following year, the USILA placed him on the All-America first team. Christhilf led the nation in scoring in 1936 with 25 goals to his credit. The Baltimore Sun
described him as a "brilliant attack man" with "deadly shooting".
degree in civil engineering
from Maryland in 1936. After college, he played lacrosse for the Baltimore Athletic Club from 1937 to 1941. In his first season there, the club won the National Open Championship. He also briefly returned to the Friends School as an assistant lacrosse coach in 1938 and 1963.
Christhilf entered the United States Army Air Service
in 1941 and attained the rank of lieutenant colonel
by the time he left the military in 1946. He briefly re-entered the service in 1953. Christhilf worked as a professional civil engineer, and married Ruth née Kolb Christhilf, an issurance company analyst. The couple had a son and a daughter.
Christhilf was inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1972. He was inducted into the University of Maryland Athletic Hall of Fame
in 1984. Christhilf survived his wife Ruth, who died in 1990, then died himself in Baltimore in August 1992.
Field lacrosse
Field lacrosse, sometimes referred to as the "fastest sport on two feet," is a full contact outdoor men's sport played with ten players on each team. The sport originated among Native Americans, and the modern rules of field lacrosse were initially codified by Canadian William George Beers in 1867....
player, civil engineer
Civil engineering
Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including works like roads, bridges, canals, dams, and buildings...
, and Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
officer. He played college lacrosse at the University of Maryland
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
from 1934 to 1936, and led the nation in scoring as a senior. Christhilf was inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1972.
Early life and college
Christhilf was born in Baltimore, Maryland in June 1914. He attended the Friends SchoolFriends School of Baltimore
Friends School of Baltimore is a private Quaker school in Baltimore, serving students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.-History:It is the oldest private school in Baltimore, founded in 1784 by members of the Religious Society of Friends . Classes were first held in the Aisquith Street...
, and played lacrosse from 1928 to 1932. Christhilf then attended college at the University of Maryland
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
, where he played on the lacrosse team, and was a member of the Reserve Officer Training Corps, Scabbard and Blade
Scabbard and Blade
Scabbard and Blade is a college military honor society founded at the University of Wisconsin in 1904. Although membership is open to R.O.T.C. cadets and midshipmen of all military services, the society is modeled after the U.S. Army and its chapters are called companies and are organized into...
, Kappa Alpha Order
Kappa Alpha Order
Kappa Alpha Order is a social fraternity and fraternal order. Kappa Alpha Order has 124 active chapters, 3 provisional chapters, and 2 commissions...
, and the Engineering Society. Christhilf earned varsity letters in 1934, 1935, and 1936. The United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association
United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association
The United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association is an association of institutions with varsity college lacrosse programs in all three NCAA divisions, founded in 1885.-Awards:...
named him to the All-America
USILA All-American Team
The USILA All-American Team is an honor given annually to the best American men's college lacrosse players at their respective positions by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association. The term All-American is derived from the same practice in American college football, in which the...
second team in 1935 at the out home position, and The Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun is the U.S. state of Maryland’s largest general circulation daily newspaper and provides coverage of local and regional news, events, issues, people, and industries....
placed him on its All-Maryland Lacrosse Team first team. The following year, the USILA placed him on the All-America first team. Christhilf led the nation in scoring in 1936 with 25 goals to his credit. The Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun is the U.S. state of Maryland’s largest general circulation daily newspaper and provides coverage of local and regional news, events, issues, people, and industries....
described him as a "brilliant attack man" with "deadly shooting".
Later life
Christhilf earned a Bachelor of ScienceBachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree in civil engineering
Civil engineering
Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including works like roads, bridges, canals, dams, and buildings...
from Maryland in 1936. After college, he played lacrosse for the Baltimore Athletic Club from 1937 to 1941. In his first season there, the club won the National Open Championship. He also briefly returned to the Friends School as an assistant lacrosse coach in 1938 and 1963.
Christhilf entered the United States Army Air Service
United States Army Air Service
The Air Service, United States Army was a forerunner of the United States Air Force during and after World War I. It was established as an independent but temporary wartime branch of the War Department by two executive orders of President Woodrow Wilson: on May 24, 1918, replacing the Aviation...
in 1941 and attained the rank of lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of major and just below the rank of colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of commander in the other uniformed services.The pay...
by the time he left the military in 1946. He briefly re-entered the service in 1953. Christhilf worked as a professional civil engineer, and married Ruth née Kolb Christhilf, an issurance company analyst. The couple had a son and a daughter.
Christhilf was inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1972. He was inducted into the University of Maryland Athletic Hall of Fame
University of Maryland Athletic Hall of Fame
The University of Maryland Athletic Hall of Fame was established in 1982 by the M Club Foundation to honor student-athletes, coaches, and administrators who made significant contributions to athletics at the University of Maryland...
in 1984. Christhilf survived his wife Ruth, who died in 1990, then died himself in Baltimore in August 1992.