When Ollinger entered Spring Hill College in 1921, his athletic record was established immediately on the college football field, basketball court and baseball field. It didn’t stop there either, because when the college sponsored swimming and track and field events, he jumped in and excelled. His athletic ability was well known in the Mobile area and he was demonstrating for the Badgers. Ellis competed when the college regularly played colleges like Alabama, Auburn, LSU and Tulane. His swimming and diving ability qualified him as a member of the 1928 USA Olympic team. Ollinger is also credited for being the first person to swim the 12 miles across Mobile Bay. After his graduation, Ollinger went on to a long career as a coach in the Mobile area, impacting thousands of young people through sports. He is also a member of Mobile Sports Hall of Fame.