Not really. I remembered the name because he was from around West Bend, Wisconsin, and we had German-American neighbors from there who were shirt-tail relatives. I believe he may have been a referee in some early games, then went into the business world.
Thanks. I found references to him in newspapers.com being from Newburg and involved in the Milwaukee Park system or similar. He was not the point of the story so I did not pursue further.
With an exception or two, teams didn't huddle until the 1920s. By then, the QB called the plays, though the captain might make suggestions. In the case of 1893 Wisconsin, the captain was the QB and Davis likely made suggestions.
What a great article. He looks kind of small for a tackle...by today's standards.
Couple of big boys in the front row of the other picture. How you dig up all of
these great facts and stories is so great. Looking forward to your new book.
Appreciate you!
Thank you. If you root around enough in old newspapers and books, you find some acorns that grow into stories.
Kletsch is lone Wisconsin coach that did not attend college - went into business in Milwaukee after leading team in its first year.
Do you know anything about his background, especially football or sports experience before coaching?
Not really. I remembered the name because he was from around West Bend, Wisconsin, and we had German-American neighbors from there who were shirt-tail relatives. I believe he may have been a referee in some early games, then went into the business world.
Thanks. I found references to him in newspapers.com being from Newburg and involved in the Milwaukee Park system or similar. He was not the point of the story so I did not pursue further.
I missed a chance to buy the copy once owned by Caspar Whitney. Nuts.
That is terribly sad to hear. I quote Caspar several times in my upcoming book.
Player-coaches and captains-cum-coaches. The huddles must have been something to see...
With an exception or two, teams didn't huddle until the 1920s. By then, the QB called the plays, though the captain might make suggestions. In the case of 1893 Wisconsin, the captain was the QB and Davis likely made suggestions.
Wow. Football without huddling….
https://www.footballarchaeology.com/p/gather-round-boys-a-history-of-huddling
This explains the history