Background
Hugh was born on July 20, 1900 in Dahlonega, Georgia to Henry Cowan Whelchel and Clara Annabel Moore.
Hugh was born on July 20, 1900 in Dahlonega, Georgia to Henry Cowan Whelchel and Clara Annabel Moore.
Hugh was a first cousin of Georgia Technical football player Dan Whelchel. He was a prominent guard for the Georgia Bulldogs of the from 1919 to 1922. He was said to have blocked 19 kicks in his college football career.
He was nominated though not selected for an Associated Press All-Time Southeast 1869-1919 era team
1920
His kick blocking featured in the 21–14 victory over Alabama in 1920. Georgia was 8–0–1 and SIAA champions in 1920, as well as the first team known as the "Bulldogs."
1921
He was selected as a third-team All-American by Walter Camp in 1921.
1922
Whelchel was unanimously elected captain of the 1922 team Camp gave him honorable mention.
Whelchel was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.