Dr. Rolfe Louis Hillman

Dr. Rolfe Louis “Li’l Doc” Hillman, a physician, was a charter member of the Emory & Henry Sports Hall of Fame.

Hillman graduated from Emory & Henry in 1914 and received his medical degree from Johns Hopkins University in 1918. He worked for the Clinchfield Coal Company at Clinchco as company doctor until 1927, when he returned to Emory & Henry as college physician and professor of biology and hygiene. Hillman received the nickname “Li’l Doc” because his time at E&H overlapped with college president Dr. James Noah Hillman, who became known as “Big Doc.”

Apart from a brief return to Clinchfield Coal Company during World War II, Hillman remained at the college worked at the college until his retirement in 1955. In recognition of his dedication, the college constructed a home for him and his wife.

Hillman was known as the Wasps’ biggest booster. He attended all sports events and other collegiate activities. He never missed a football game and could be seen running up and down the sidelines between the times he wasn’t treating injured players.

Dr. Rolfe Hillman passed away on June 28, 1958.