Roger S. Penske/Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame
Rauch*, Philip
Philip Rauch*
- Induction:
- 1999
- Class:
- 1933
Perhaps best known as the benefactor of both the Rauch Fieldhouse and the Rauch Business Center, Phil Rauch was also quite an athlete.
He was a member of the Lehigh wrestling team in 1930 and 1931 and a member of the football team in 1932.
Rauch left Lehigh in 1932 upon the death of his father to assume responsibility for the family business. Under his guidance, the corporation went through continuous expansion and several acquisitions until its 1971 merger with the Fortune 500 company, Parker Hannifin. He served as chairman of the board of Parker Hannifin until 1977 as a director of the company until his retirement 10 years later.
Growing up in the 1920s, Rauch was a sprinter on his high school’s track team. Upon entering Lehigh in 1929, he took part in a wrestling clinic run by the late Billy Sheridan, himself a member of the Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame for his great wrestling coaching career. On the wrestling mat, Rauch was truly a quick study.
“I hadn't wrestled competitively before since there was no wrestling in the Eastern Public Schools,” Rauch explained. “I participated in the clinic and made the freshman team.”
Wrestling at 155 pounds, Rauch was undefeated in dual meets and won the Lewis Cup, which was awarded to the most improved freshman wrestler.
“Phil was a very good wrestler,” Frank Gad, a teammate of Rauch’s said. “He worked as hard as anyone in the room and he always fought until the end.”
As a sophomore, Rauch competed with senior Paul Seal, who had already earned a varsity letter. The two were very evenly matched and wrestled weekly to see who would represent Lehigh in the upcoming dual meets. Sheridan was quite impressed with both men's performances and efforts and would often say, “The competition between these two is what makes Lehigh wrestling.”
Later in the season, Seal dropped to 145 pounds and went on to become an Eastern champion. Rauch stayed at 155 pounds and wrestled at Easterns as part of Lehigh's 1931 EIWA championship team.
Upon notification that he would be inducted into the Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame, Rauch was very excited. “It’s quite an honor to be inducted,” Rauch said. “I am very proud to have worn the Lehigh uniform and am excited about joining such distinguished athletes and supporters of Lehigh Athletics in the Hall of Fame.”
Rauch has long been a benefactor of Lehigh and the athletics department. In 1988, his philanthropic partnership with Murray Goodman enabled the University to relocate its College of Business and Economics to a beautiful new building located on the site of the old Taylor Stadium, and concurrently relocate football to the Goodman Campus. As part of his commitment to business education at Lehigh, and as a way of reinforcing skills he found valuable in his professional life, he also established the Philip Rauch Center for Business Communications.
On the Goodman Campus, the indoor Rauch Fieldhouse bears his name. Opened in 1974, the venue is home to Lehigh’s indoor track and field teams and has previously served as the home of Lehigh’s men’s and women’s tennis teams. One of the most versatile facilities of its kind in the area, the fieldhouse features a six lane track and multi-purpose surface suitable for indoor athletic practices. In addition to serving the Lehigh community, the fieldhouse also hosts numerous high school track meets and a number of external trade show events.
“We are very fortunate to have a facility like Rauch Fieldhouse to train and conduct meets,” said head track and field coach Matt Utesch. “All of the student-athletes and members of the track and field coaching staff are very grateful for the support that Mr. Rauch has given the track and field program and Lehigh’s athletics program. He has helped to make a difference in the lives of our student-athletes.”
Rauch was also inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in June 1999. Rauch joined Lehigh graduates Ken Faust ‘55, Arthur Rutzen ‘70, and former Lehigh president, Peter Likins, in the Hall’s “Outstanding Americans” category, and other Lehigh greats, Mike Caruso ‘67, Billy Sheridan and Gerry Leeman who are enshrined in the “Distinguished Members” category.
In 1935, Rauch earned a Bachelor’s degree in business administration from New York University and was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Laws by Lehigh in 1979. Rauch was chairman of the Eye Research Institute of Boston and recipient of the Sundial Award. He also served as vice president of the Rauch Family Foundation, which supported educational, cultural, health and social service organizations and innovative programs in early childhood and day care. Rauch maintained residencies in Westbury, New York and Palm Beach, Florida until his death at age 95 in 2006.
He was a member of the Lehigh wrestling team in 1930 and 1931 and a member of the football team in 1932.
Rauch left Lehigh in 1932 upon the death of his father to assume responsibility for the family business. Under his guidance, the corporation went through continuous expansion and several acquisitions until its 1971 merger with the Fortune 500 company, Parker Hannifin. He served as chairman of the board of Parker Hannifin until 1977 as a director of the company until his retirement 10 years later.
Growing up in the 1920s, Rauch was a sprinter on his high school’s track team. Upon entering Lehigh in 1929, he took part in a wrestling clinic run by the late Billy Sheridan, himself a member of the Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame for his great wrestling coaching career. On the wrestling mat, Rauch was truly a quick study.
“I hadn't wrestled competitively before since there was no wrestling in the Eastern Public Schools,” Rauch explained. “I participated in the clinic and made the freshman team.”
Wrestling at 155 pounds, Rauch was undefeated in dual meets and won the Lewis Cup, which was awarded to the most improved freshman wrestler.
“Phil was a very good wrestler,” Frank Gad, a teammate of Rauch’s said. “He worked as hard as anyone in the room and he always fought until the end.”
As a sophomore, Rauch competed with senior Paul Seal, who had already earned a varsity letter. The two were very evenly matched and wrestled weekly to see who would represent Lehigh in the upcoming dual meets. Sheridan was quite impressed with both men's performances and efforts and would often say, “The competition between these two is what makes Lehigh wrestling.”
Later in the season, Seal dropped to 145 pounds and went on to become an Eastern champion. Rauch stayed at 155 pounds and wrestled at Easterns as part of Lehigh's 1931 EIWA championship team.
Upon notification that he would be inducted into the Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame, Rauch was very excited. “It’s quite an honor to be inducted,” Rauch said. “I am very proud to have worn the Lehigh uniform and am excited about joining such distinguished athletes and supporters of Lehigh Athletics in the Hall of Fame.”
Rauch has long been a benefactor of Lehigh and the athletics department. In 1988, his philanthropic partnership with Murray Goodman enabled the University to relocate its College of Business and Economics to a beautiful new building located on the site of the old Taylor Stadium, and concurrently relocate football to the Goodman Campus. As part of his commitment to business education at Lehigh, and as a way of reinforcing skills he found valuable in his professional life, he also established the Philip Rauch Center for Business Communications.
On the Goodman Campus, the indoor Rauch Fieldhouse bears his name. Opened in 1974, the venue is home to Lehigh’s indoor track and field teams and has previously served as the home of Lehigh’s men’s and women’s tennis teams. One of the most versatile facilities of its kind in the area, the fieldhouse features a six lane track and multi-purpose surface suitable for indoor athletic practices. In addition to serving the Lehigh community, the fieldhouse also hosts numerous high school track meets and a number of external trade show events.
“We are very fortunate to have a facility like Rauch Fieldhouse to train and conduct meets,” said head track and field coach Matt Utesch. “All of the student-athletes and members of the track and field coaching staff are very grateful for the support that Mr. Rauch has given the track and field program and Lehigh’s athletics program. He has helped to make a difference in the lives of our student-athletes.”
Rauch was also inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in June 1999. Rauch joined Lehigh graduates Ken Faust ‘55, Arthur Rutzen ‘70, and former Lehigh president, Peter Likins, in the Hall’s “Outstanding Americans” category, and other Lehigh greats, Mike Caruso ‘67, Billy Sheridan and Gerry Leeman who are enshrined in the “Distinguished Members” category.
In 1935, Rauch earned a Bachelor’s degree in business administration from New York University and was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Laws by Lehigh in 1979. Rauch was chairman of the Eye Research Institute of Boston and recipient of the Sundial Award. He also served as vice president of the Rauch Family Foundation, which supported educational, cultural, health and social service organizations and innovative programs in early childhood and day care. Rauch maintained residencies in Westbury, New York and Palm Beach, Florida until his death at age 95 in 2006.
Lehigh Sports Central: Men's Soccer
Wednesday, September 17
Field Hockey vs. Temple
Sunday, September 14
Lehigh Sports Central: Volleyball
Wednesday, September 10
2025 Hall of Fame Ceremony
Wednesday, September 10
