William C. McCracken (April 11, 1864 – June 13, 1940) was an American college football coach and educator.[1] He served as the head football coach at Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania from 1890 to 1896 and Northern State Normal School—now known as Northern Michigan University–in Marquette, Michigan in 1904, compiling a career coaching record of 19–19–1. McCracken chaired the chemistry department at Western Michigan University—in Kalamazoo, Michigan for many years and served as the school's acting president in 1922–23.

William McCracken
Biographical details
Born(1864-04-11)April 11, 1864
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
DiedJune 13, 1940(1940-06-13) (aged 75–76)
Kalamazoo, Michigan, U.S.
Playing career
1891–1892Geneva
1894Geneva
Position(s)Guard, tackle
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1890–1896Geneva
1904Northern State Normal (MI)
Head coaching record
Overall19–19–1

Early life and education

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Born in St. Louis, McCracken attended Columbia University, the University of Michigan, and the University of Chicago.[2]

Coaching career

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Geneva

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McCracken was the first head football coach at Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, serving for seven seasons, from 1890 to 1896, and compiling a record of 17–18–1. He also played on Geneva's teams of 1891, 1892, and 1894.[3]

Northern Michigan

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After starting the program at Geneva, McCracken went to the newly-formed Normal School of Northern Michigan—now known as now Northern Michigan University—in Marquette, Michigan to teach chemistry and physics.[4][5] Records show that he was on staff at Normal as early as 1901.[6]

In 1904, he was asked to start the program there, making the second school where he was the first coach. His team produced a record of 2–1 in the inaugural 1904 season[7] and played their games at the County Fairgrounds.[8]

Education career

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In 1907, McCracken took a position as head of the chemistry department at Western State Normal School—now known as Western Michigan University—in Kalamazoo, Michigan.[9] He remained at Western Michigan until his retirement in 1939, also serving as acting university president for the 1922–23 school year.[10] He was the first faculty advisor for the Western Herald student newspaper in 1916.[11]

Death and honors

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McCracken died on June 13, 1940, at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo, following a two-week-long illness.[12] In 1946, the school began plans for McCracken Hall to honor his legacy.[13]

Head coaching record

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Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Geneva Covenanters (Independent) (1890–1896)
1890 Geneva 0–1
1891 Geneva 4–2
1892 Geneva 3–3
1893 Geneva 2–2–1
1894 Geneva 5–1
1895 Geneva 0–5
1896 Geneva 3–4
Geneva: 17–18–1
Northern State Normal (Independent) (1904)
1904 Northern State Normal 2–1
Northern State Normal: 2–1
Total: 19–19–1

References

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  1. ^ Science "Scientific Notes And News" June 21, 1940
  2. ^ "Dr. W. McCracken, Retired Chemistry Instructor, Dies". Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois. June 14, 1940. p. 33. Retrieved September 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com  .
  3. ^ "Geneva Football Record Book" (PDF). Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania: Geneva College. 2021. pp. 10, 14. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  4. ^ Michigan Teachers' Directory "Northern State Normal School Faculty" Published by Robert Smith & Co., 1899
  5. ^ The Decennial Publications of the University of Chicago Published by The University of Chicago Press, 1908
  6. ^ Biennial Report By State Board for Vocational Education, Michigan State Board of Education, 1903
  7. ^ Northern Michigan University Varsity Athletics Football-Coaching Records
  8. ^ Northern Horizons "100 YEARS OF WILDCAT" Fall 2004
  9. ^ New York Times "Obituaries-William McCracken" June 14, 1940
  10. ^ Western Michigan University Building Timeline ~ 1944-1953
  11. ^ Western Herald "Happy Anniversary, Western Herald" By Shawntai Brown, November 3, 2008
  12. ^ "Dr. William McCracken Expires In Kalamazoo; Funeral Set Saturday". The Herald-Press. St. Joseph, Michigan. Associated Press. June 14, 1940. p. 6. Retrieved September 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com  .
  13. ^ Western Michigan 1946 Architectural Rendering of McCracken Hall
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