Induction Video
(Written: July 2018)
Dr. R.A. Karges served as UW-River Falls’ faculty athletic representative to the conference from 1912-52 and was the men’s basketball coach from 1910-12. In those early days, the school could afford travel for only two conference games and filled out the season by playing area high schools. He loved spectator sports, but was also an energetic participant. Karges played handball and tennis and was an ardent cross-country skier.
In 1959, he took part in laying the cornerstone for the physical education building on campus that was named in his honor from 1960-2017. The Falcon Center auxiliary gymnasium currently bestows his name – “Karges Gymnasium”. Karges was inducted into the UW-River Falls Hall of Fame in 1977.
He earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from UW-Madison and Ph.D. from the University of Iowa. Karges passed away in December 1964.