The 1959 Wrestling Court was created as a promotional stunt by then OSC Wrestling coach Dale Thomas. The court members posed for a series of publicity photographs taken by Hise Studio in Corvallis. Some of the photos, such as this one, were picked up by national news organizations including the Associated Press. Another of the photographs appeared in Life magazine.
Joseph Butts was the professor of Agricultural Chemistry from 1939-1961 and Department Head from 1946-1961. A focus of interest was utilizing atomic energy for peaceful means.
Charles V. Ruzek was a professor of Soil Science, specifically soil fertility, from 1914-1954. Ruzek worked with Oregon State College's Experiment Station.