Northland College Athletics

Welker is regarded as "Mr. Athletics" in the Chequamegon Bay area. He officially served Northland as head basketball coach for two seasons but has been one of the school's biggest fans for over a half century. Welker was basketball coach in 1917 and 1918. Three of his players enjoyed marked success. Jean Fortier served as football coach and athletic director at Northland College for nine years, longest tenure in the school's history. Orbin Fortier was the most successful high school basketball coach in northern California when he left coaching to go into administration work in 1950. Ardath Garnich transferred to M.I.T. after World War I where he was a basketball regular. Garnich is now president of Garnich Hardware, Inc. and a Northland College trustee. Welker is regarded as the finest track and field athlete in Ashland history and the Willis Welker high school invitational; meet is named in his honor. Welker is now an officer with the Union Nation Bank in Ashland.