The Julia P. Trowbridge Fund was started in 1996 as a memorial for Julia who taught Latin at Plymouth High School. Today, this fund supports the Noble Kizer Awards presented to outstanding male and female senior athletes at PHS.

Noble Kizer was a 1919 graduate of Plymouth High School, with his graduation being delayed a year for a brief period of service in the U.S. Marines. During his high school career, Noble excelled on both the basketball court and the track field. At this time, Plymouth did not have a football team. After graduation, Noble began working at the Studebaker plant in South Bend, where the legendary coach Knute Rockne spotted Noble playing a pick-up game of basketball at the local YMCA. Impressed by Noble’s natural athleticism, Knute then offered Noble a chance to play football at Notre Dame.

Noble became a member of the offensive line called the “Seven Mules” that blocked for the famed backfield, called the “Four Horseman.” Noble was a member of Notre Dame’s legendary National Championship Team, winning the first national title for the school. While at Notre Dame, Noble also played basketball for the Fighting Irish, being the team captain for the 1924-25 season and receiving All-American honors.

After graduation, Noble headed to West Lafayette to coach the Purdue University football team as an assistant coach. He later became the head coach in 1930, the youngest coach within the Big Ten. His 42-13-3 record remains as the best winning percentage of any Purdue Football Coach to this day (2025). In 1934, Noble was chosen via a nation-wide poll to be the first coach of the College All-Stars in an inaugural charity game where Noble’s college athletes played a game against the pro Chicago Bears team to a scoreless tie.

In addition to coaching football, Noble also served as Athletic Director for Purdue and initiated the Purdue Fieldhouse and Golf Course.

Following a battle with illness, Noble passed away in 1940, at age 40. Following his death, he was elected to the Indiana Football Hall of Fame on April 30, 1977, along with his Notre Dame coach, Knute Rockne.

Since 1957, the Noble Kizer Awards have been awarded to outstanding male and female athletes at PHS. Recipients of this award must demonstrate not only exceptional athleticism but also excel at academics and exemplify good character. Selection of the recipients of this award are done by the head coaches, athletic director of PHS, and a member of the Kizer family.