Coaches
Josephine "Jo" Dunn
Jo Dunn earned a bachelor's degree in physical education from Oberlin College in 1920. She taught on the secondary school and college levels for several years and then in 1929 received a master's degree from Columbia University. That same year Jo joined the faculty at Albion College as the director of women's physical education and began 33 years of magnificent service.
While at Albion, Jo was instrumental in forming the Women's Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association, which later was combined with the MIAA to form a single league structure. She was also an advocate and participant in the Athletic Recreational Federation of College Women, and helped to establish and promote the Michigan division of that group. Jo was not only deeply involved herself, but her students were active participants, enabling Albion College to be thrust into the forefront of women's athletics throughout Michigan and the entire country. The Jo Dunn Outstanding Archer Award was given in her honor from 1962 to 1981 for sportsmanship and marksmanship on the range.
Jo was also extremely involved with the Camp Fire Girls while at Albion. During her 25 years of service in Albion she trained many counselors and leaders and was a representative to many regional conferences. Jo passed away on July 28, 1967.
H. Morley Fraser
Morley Fraser earned a bachelor's degree in 1947 from Washburn University and a master's degree in 1954 from Michigan State University. From 1949 to 1951, as the head football coach at Newberry High School, Morley led his teams to three consecutive unbeaten seasons. In 1949 he was named the Upper Peninsula Coach of the Year and two years later Newberry won the Class B State Championship.
After a stint at Lansing Eastern High School, Morley came to Albion in 1954 as the head baseball and football coach. He remained as the head baseball coach for 18 years, winning six MIAA championships. He is best remembered for his tenure of 14 years as the head football coach. During that time Albion won five MIAA championships, compiled and 81-41-1 record, had five Most Valuable MIAA football players, recorded two undefeated seasons, and established a winning streak of 15 consecutive games--still the longest in Albion's history. In 1961 Morley was named as Michigan Small College football coach of the year. That same year he was selected as the Midwest Regional Small College football coach of the year. Morley remains the winningest football coach in Albion's history with 81 wins.
After leaving his coaching position in 1972, Morley began a 14-year tenure as executive director of Bellemont Manor, the College's conference center. Now, in retirement, he has nearly 200 speaking engagements each year, and he remains a goodwill ambassador of Albion College.
Elkin R. Isaac, '48
Ike Isaac participated in both football (three years) and basketball (four years). For his outstanding performances on the basketball court, he earned All-MIAA Honors three times, in 1943, 1946 and 1947. Ike was captain and voted Most Valuable player of the 1947 team. His college career was interrupted from 1943 to 1945 as he served in the U.S. Air Force as a pilot in World War II. After graduation from Albion, Ike began a great career as a coach and later as athletic director at his alma mater.
Ike was talented enough to coach four different sports at Albion--football, basketball, track and cross country. An assistant coach in 1953 and then head basketball coach from 1953 to 1959, Ike led his 1957 team to the MIAA Championship. From 1953 to 1962 he was track coach, and the team won six consecutive MIAA Championships, 1954-1959. Ike then coached the cross country teams from 1962 to1969, winning three consecutive MIAA Championships, 1964-1966.
Upon leaving Albion in 1975, Ike became athletic director at the University of the Pacific. He retired there in 1984 and now resides in Kalamazoo.
Walter B. Sprandel
Walter Sprandel graduated from Carleton College in Minnesota. He then served in the Armed Forces (1925-1928) and after that joined the Olivet coaching staff until 1942. During that time he coached an MIAA Championship basketball team (1933). Walter came to Albion in 1942 and was an associate professor of physical education and a coach until 1952. In the fall of that year he accepted the position of dean of men which he held until 1962.
Walter was an assistant football coach (1946-1951), head basketball coach (1943-1953), and head track coach (1950-1952). During that time his teams won five MIAA Championships: three in basketball (1946, 1948 and 1951) and two in track (1950 and 1951).
Academic achievements were as important to Walter as were athletic achievements. For his contributions to Albion College athletics, he, along with Dale Sprankle, was honored with the naming of Sprankle-Sprandel Stadium in 1976. Walter passed away on April 21, 1962.
Dale R. Sprankle
Dale Sprankle graduated from Mount Union College in Ohio. He served as the director of physical education at Adrian College from 1923 to 1936 prior to coming to Albion. After becoming assistant director of athletics and coach at Albion, he was promoted in 1942 to athletic director and remained in that position until his retirement in 1958.
During his 22 years of coaching at Albion, Dale's teams won 23 MIAA Championships in four different sports. To this day he remains the winningest coach in MIAA history. Dale coached football during his first 10 years at Albion and won two MIAA Championships. He coached indoor track for five years and won the MIAA Championship in each: 1939, 1941, 1942, 1943, and 1947. As the track coach from 1937 to 1947, his teams won six championships in an eight-year span. His greatest success came in cross country. From 1947 to 1958 Dale's teams won 10 MIAA Championships. His 1956 team lost the title by one point, and the 1958 team finished second.
Dale was deservedly honored in 1976, along with Walter Sprandel, when the football stadium was named the Sprankle-Sprandel Stadium. Dale passed away November 11, 1963.
Individuals
Lee M. Bartlett, '29
The only Albion athlete ever to compete at the Olympic Games, Lee Bartlett was a standout in track and field at Albion. In each of his four years, he was the MIAA javelin champion, establishing a new record in three of those four years. His record stood from 1928 until 1969, and only five MIAA athletes have ever thrown the javelin as far as Lee did in league competition. He was captain of the 1928 and 1929 teams, leading both to the MIAA Championship.
During his four years throwing the javelin, Lee won many honors: winning the Michigan State College meet in Lansing all four years, establishing Michigan State records, and placing third two years and winning one years in the Ohio Relays. In the 1928 NCAA Championships, he established both NCAA and American records. He also placed second in the Drake Relays, third in the Southern Methodist Relays and fourth in the Texas Relays. After graduating he twice won the National Amateur Union javelin title and competed in numerous international competitions.
Lee's greatest accomplishment was being a member of three Olympic teams. he finished tenth in 1928, fifth in 1932, and twelfth in 1936. He is the only MIAA athlete to participate in the Olympic Games. Lee's best ever official throw was 223 feet 3 and one-quarter inches, and his best unofficial throw was 239 feet at an exhibition in Grand Rapids. His competitive career ended in 1943.
During his career Lee was a teacher at Marlette and Union City, 1935-1942. From 1942 to 1972 he taught in the Dearborn school system. Shortly after retirement, Lee passed away on October 31, 1972.
Gordon J. Blakeman, '60
A four-year letter-winner, Gordy Blakeman participated in football and track, and is a co-holder of the Albion record in low hurdles. He was co-captain of the 1959 football team and the 1960 track team. During his four years as a member of the track team, it captured three MIAA Championships.
Gordy earned an M.D. at the University of Michigan Medical School. Following the completion of his residency he became chief of pediatrics for the U.S. Army, stationed in West Germany. Currently, Gordy has a private pediatrics practice in Denver, Colorado and is the clinical faculty chairman at the University of Colorado Health Science Center. He is a two-time recipient of the Outstanding Teaching Award at the University of Colorado. Gordy also is involved with various youth sports programs and hospital committees.
Mate Wonsey Dean, '23
Mate Dean proved herself to be an outstanding tennis player and was selected as the captain of the 1923 team. She was a member of the 1920 tennis team which won an MIAA Championship. By the time she graduated, Mate held the number one single spot on the team.
After graduation, Mate lived in Albion until 1978 and remained active at Albion College and also in the community. Her husband, W. Clark Dean, served as a member of Albion's Board of Trustees for 35 years. Mate was a nurse's aide at the hospital for many years and was a member of a variety of clubs, such as: the E.L.T. Club, the Review Club, the P.E.O. and the Gamma Alumnae Club. She greatly enjoyed playing the piano and was the organist at the First Methodist Church for many years. Mate was also an avid golfer and won several local championships. She now resides in Florida.
Cedric W. Dempsey, '54
Ced proved himself to be an extremely versatile athlete at Albion, earning nine letters in three different sports: football, basketball and baseball. He was selected as an All-MIAA Performer in baseball three consecutive years (1952-1954). While playing basketball, Ced earned All-MIAA honors in 1953 and 1954, and was named the Most Valuable Player in the MIAA his senior year. Ced established a single game scoring record by making 38 points in a game against Hope.
From 1959 to 1962 Ced served as Albion's head basketball and cross country coach. The following year he was the dean of men at Albion. During the next four years Ced worked for the University of Arizona, the first two years as the assistant basketball coach and assistant professor of physical education, followed by a promotion to assistant athletic director. From 1967 to1979 he served as the director of athletics at the University of the Pacific. In that same capacity he served San Diego State University for one year and University of Houston for three years. In 1982 Ced accepted his current position as director of intercollegiate athletics at the University of Arizona. He earned a doctorate from the University of Illinois.
Since 1983 Ced has been a member of the NCAA Division I men's basketball committee, and in 1988-89 served as the chair of that committee.
Paul L. Field, '15
Ike Field attended Albion College for three years before going on to graduate from the University of Michigan. During those three years, he established himself as one of the best all-around athletes in Albion's history and was the first person to win letters in four different sports. In fact, he earned 12 letters in his three years at Albion - three each in football, basketball, track and baseball. He was captain of both the football team and baseball team in 1914. One of Ike's specialties was the long jump, which he won at the MIAA Field Day in 1912, 1913 and 1914. Each year he established a new record, with the 1914 jump standing as the record until 1938.
Ike spent the majority of his professional career working in the insurance industry as a certified life underwriter. Before that he worked as athletic director at Flint High School (1916-17), and served as athletic director and coach for Albion in 1920 and 1921. Ike was also an accomplished musician. He passed away in October 1970.
Theodore E. Hagadone, '51
Ted Hagadone ran track and cross country all four years at Albion and was instrumental in the enormous success of those teams. During those four years, Albion College won nine MIAA Championships, four in cross country, four in track, and one in indoor track. Individually, Ted's success and leadership was evident as he earned seven MIAA titles. Ted won the cross country title in 1948 and 1949, the mile run in 1949 and 1951, and the two-mile run three consecutive years, 1949-1951.
After graduation from Albion, Ted remained in secondary education for 23 years, first as a teacher and coach for 11 years, followed by 12 years in administrative positions. He was the superintendent of schools in Vanderbilt, Iron Mountain, Milford and Riverview. Ted received his master's degree from Western Michigan University in 1957 and a doctorate in educational administration from Michigan State University in 1966. He was one of six administrators in the nation to be selected for a Mott Fellowship to attend Michigan State University.
Ted took early retirement in 1984 but has stayed active. He became director of child development services in Yuma, Arizona, and is now working as a program analyst for the Department of the Army in Arizona.
Stanley S. Kresge, '23
Stanley Kresge attended the University of Michigan for two and one-half years before transferring to Albion in February 1922. Having participated in both football and baseball at U-M, he did so at Albion as well. During his two years of baseball, he proved himself to be an outstanding batter and outfielder. He was also a member of the 1922 MIAA Championship football team.
After graduation, Stan began working for the S.S. Kresge Co. and served in several capacities before being appointed to the headquarters staff in 1930. He became a director of the company in 1950 and became vice chairman of the board in 1953. He retired in 1965 as a Kresge Co. employee but remained on the board which he served as chairman in 1966 and 1967. A trustee of the Kresge Foundation, he served that board as its president and as chairman until his retirement.
The Kresges have been long-time benefactors of Albion College. Stanley S. Kresge Gymnasium was built in 1925 with a major gift from Stan's father, Sebastian S. Kresge, and was recently renovated under the Campaign for Albion College.
T. John Leppi, '59
John Leppi came to Albion after serving for four years in the U.S. Air Force. He played football two years and ran track all four years. As a halfback for the football team, John was selected as the Most Outstanding Freshman. A sprinter for the track team, he won the 100-yard dash at the 1957 MIAA Field Day, and the following year he won the 220-yard dash at the Field Day. During his four years as a member of the track team, Albion won the MIAA Championship each year. John was Most Valuable Performer for Albion in 1955 and 1957, the leading scorer in 1957, and the co-captain of the 1958 team. He also established Albion College records in both the 120 high hurdles and 220 low hurdles.
John has remained in higher education since graduation from Albion. He earned a doctorate in 1963, and since 1971, John has been the chairman of the Department of Biomedical Anatomy at the University of Minnesota-Duluth School of Medicine. He has also served as the associate dean of admissions and professor of biomedical anatomy while serving as chairman. Effective January 1, 1990, John will begin his new appointment as associate dean of admissions and professor of anatomy at Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Worth.
Ray B. Loeschner, '53
After graduating from Grand Rapids Junior College in 1951 with an associate's degree, Ray enrolled at Albion College. He played football and ran track both years at Albion, and gained numerous awards in his senior year. Ray was the defensive captain of the 1952 MIAA Champion football team. He was selected as an All-MIAA performer as both an offensive guard and defensive linebacker, and was chosen as a member of the Little All-America Team. Ray's jersey, number53, was retire that year, the third jersey in Albion's history to have that honor. Ray was also the captain of the 1953 track team. By the end of the season he had won the high point award and was selected as the Most Valuable Trackman for the year. At the MIAA Field Day that year Ray captured the pole vault championship.
After graduating, Ray served for two years in the U.S. Navy. For the next three years he worked as an instructor and assistant football and track coach at Northwestern University. For the next five years, he was the head coach and an assistant professor at Augustana College.
Ray then began a career in higher education administration. For two years he served as the dean of student affairs at Washburn University, followed by a four-year stint at Eastern Michigan University, one year as assistant to the president and three years as vice president for academic affairs. From 1970 to 1977 he served as president of Olivet College, and then was president of Ohio Northern University from 1977 to 1979. After leaving Ohio Northern, he held several administrative positions with the C.S. Mott Foundation, which he now serves as a consultant. Ray is now president of Loeschner Enterprises, Inc. in Grand Rapids.
During his entire professional career Ray has been involved with numerous boards, and has been extremely involved in community affairs.
Edward W. Majdeski, '52
Before coming to Albion, Ed Majdeski served in the U.S. Army for two years. Selected as a 1949 All-MIAA performer in football, he also was named a Little All-American. Ed was the captain of the 1951 football team, and at the end of the season became the second player in Albion's history to have his jersey retired, number 55.
In 1954, Ed began a 34-year teaching career at J.W. Sexton High School in Lansing. After nine years as an assistant coach at Sexton, he served as head coach from 1964 to 1970, winning the league championship in 1969. From 1970 to 1975 Ed served as the school's athletic director. In 1975 he became the assistant principal at Sexton until his retirement in January 1989. On April 20, 1989 the Lansing Board of Education honored Ed by renaming the Sexton Memorial Stadium as the Edward W. Majdeski Stadium.
Owen C. Perkins, '26
Owen Perkins was a six-time varsity letter winner during his athletic career at Albion. He was one of the premier pitchers of the baseball team from 1922 to 1926 and team captain in 1925. Considered a versatile athlete, Owen also lettered in football twice.
After graduating from Albion, Owen worked for the City of Royal Oak for 43 years, serving as manager, deputy city clerk and chief inspector. He received the Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award in 1983 and has served as a member of the Royal Oak City Planning Commission for 27 years.
In addition to his numerous honorary affiliations, Owen is active in his community as a member of the Royal Oak Historical Society and the Sixties Club of the First United Methodist Church. He is also involved in the Royal Oak school board and teaches continuing education courses.
John W. Porter, '53
John Porter established himself as one of the best basketball players in Albion's history. During his four-year career he received many awards and set a number of records. He was selected as an All-MIAA performer both his sophomore and junior years, and was chosen as the MIAA Most Valuable Player his junior year. He was the MIAA scoring champion both of those years and was second in scoring his senior year. John established several scoring records for Albion: most points in a game, a season and a career. He was the first player in Albion's history to score 1000 points in a career.
John has remained in education ever since graduation, and earned a master's degree in counseling and guidance from Michigan State University in 1957 and a doctorate from MSU in 1962 in higher education administration. After five years of public school teaching, in 1958 he joined the Michigan Department of Public Instruction as a research consultant. Subsequently he was appointed state superintendent of public instruction from 1969 to 1979. The following 10 years John served as the president of Eastern Michigan University. For the first five months of 1989 he was chief executive officer of the Urban Education Alliance, and in May of this year John was appointed as superintendent of the Detroit Public Schools.
Walter C. Ptak, '41
Walt Ptak competed in track for three years and was a highly honored lineman in football. Walt led both the 1939 and 1940 football teams to MIAA Championships and was selected as the Most Valuable Play of the team each year and was a candidate for the Most Valuable Player in the MIAA both years. In 1939 Walt was selected for the Honorable Mention Little All-American Team. In 1940 Walt became the first Briton to become Little All-American. In fact, he was the first player selected as All-American for the MIAA. As a senior, Walt was picked as one of the best six guards in the Midwest (the only small college player on this list). His jersey, number 29, became the first to be retired in Albion's history.
Walt served in the U.S. Air Force for four years after graduation. He then operated his own business until he passed away in 1979.
L. F. "Fritz" Shurmur, '54
While at Albion, Fritz Shurmur lettered in both football and baseball, and during his senior year was selected as an All-MIAA performer in both sports. He excelled in football and was captain of the 1953 team, voted as the MIAA Most Valuable Player and received Little All-America honors. Fritz was the third player chosen from Albion as the MIAA Most Valuable Player in as many years.
Upon Graduation, Fritz stayed at Albion as an assistant football coach, head swimming coach and assistant professor of physical education. This became the start of a successful coaching career. In 1962 Fritz joined the football staff at the University of Wyoming as the defensive line coach and served as head coach from 1971 to 1974. During that time he coached in the 1966 Sun Bowl and 1968 Sugar Bowl games and had teams that led the nation in rushing defense in 1966 and 1967, and total defense in 1968.
Fritz has coached in the National Football League since 1975. After two years with the Detroit Lions, Fritz joined the New England Patriots in 1978 as the defensive line coach and then was elevated to defensive coordinator. In 1982 he became the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, which is the position he currently holds. During his tenure with the NFL he has coached in eight playoff games, two pro bowls, and two conference championships. His book, Coaching Team Defense, was published by McGregor Sports Education this past January.
Robert R. Stoppert, '39
Bob Stoppert competed in both basketball and football at Albion, and in both 1937 and 1938, he was selected as an All-MIAA football player. His greatest achievements came as an extremely successful high school coach. His numerous awards and honors have led some people to say he is the greatest high school coach in Michigan history.
Bob coached at Benoue High School (1939-1941) and Rockford High School (1941-1943), and then spent the remainder of his coaching career at Midland High School (1943-1976). During the 36 years of his football coaching tenure, Bob's teams won 14 conference championships and three state championships. While coaching baseball for 20 years, he led his teams to 12 conference championships, five state invitational championships, and two state invitational runner-up rankings. His 10 years of coaching basketball garnered two district championships and one regional championship.
He was voted as Michigan High School football coach of the year three times (1957, 1968, and 1976), and was tabbed as the National Regional football coach of the year. He has received numerous honors, and may be the only coach to be named to all three Michigan High School Halls of Fame: coaches, football, and baseball.
Thomas J. Taylor, '59
Tom Taylor's successes as an Albion football player are numerous: Albion's Most Valuable Player three consecutive years; co-captain his junior and senior years; All-MIAA performer in 1957 and 1958; MIAA Most Valuable Football Player in 1958; All-American and All-State in both 1957 and 1958; and the first Albion player to appear in a bowl game. Tom became the fourth person to have his jersey retired, number 33.
After receiving a master's degree from Northern Michigan University in 1962, he returned to his alma mater as an assistant football coach. He spent three years as an assistant, and then as Albion's head football coach in 1969, he led his team to a championship title and was voted coach of the year in Michigan.
Currently, Tom is the assistant director of financial aid at Northern Michigan University, and he recently received an Outstanding Employee Excellence in Service award.
Ruth Tupper Washburn, '37
Ruth Tupper Washburn participated in both field hockey and tennis all of her four years at Albion and was the number one singles player on the women's tennis team. She was also treasurer and president of the Women's Athletic Association (WAA). Not only was she a leader in women's sports, but she excelled academically as well. Washburn graduated from Albion summa cum laude.
Following her graduation, Ruth completed a master's degree at Bryn Mawr College. She was a social worker in Ann Arbor and Chicago, and a psycometrician for 11 years in Flossmoor, Illinois.
Involvement as a vice president or president in the American Field Service, Great Decisions, League of Women Voters, Parent Teacher's Association and the church guild have kept Washburn busy in community activities.
Currently, she and her husband work on their tree farm in Wayland and are active in the Michigan Forest Association and the Audubon Club.
1928 Football Team
After landing second place in the 1927 season, the Albion football team displayed its skill and stamina by taking the MIAA Championship in 1928 and ending the season without a defeat or tie. The football team scored 121 points to 13 for all opponents. Six of the eight wins were shut-out affairs. The team's victory over Michigan State was perhaps its most brilliant achievement and one of the great conquests in Albion's football history. Coaching the squad were Richard "Bud" Daugherty and Frederick Parker.
At the season's close, co-captain Michael Palermo found himself on the official All-State team. On the All-MIAA Eleven were John Vallance, tackle; Palermo, end; William Lightbody, halfback; and Stanley Penzotti, fullback. Eugene Houck, quarterback, and Alex Good, guard, made the second team. Honorable mention was accorded Joseph Fleming, end; Ames Maywood, tackle; Joseph Childs, guard; and Lynn Bartlett, co-captain and center.
Other team members were John Benny, Norman Campbell, Harry Goldberg, Ernest Gray, Harold Johnson, John Klaiber, Charles Klotz, Selden Koblin, Benjamin Murrey, Irving Pronger, James Renkiewicz, Wilbur Scharer, Winston Schuler, James Sleight, James Smith, Wesley Van Camp, Lawrence Wiseman, Frank Zelakowsky and manager Bradford Brockway.
1954 Track Team
Fans on hand at Angell Field, Kalamazoo, May 21, 1954, witnessed one of the most one-sided victories in the annals of the traditional MIAA all-conference track meet. Coached by Elkin Isaac, Albion runners finished first in every running event with the exception of the relay--a new MIAA record. Traditional rival Hope was the only team to register even a mild threat to the title-bound Britons as they accumulated 49.6 points compared with 90.6 for Albion.
The Britons captured eight first places in the meet, David Williams in the 100-yard dash and 220, James Chapman in the mile and two-mile, Thomas Schwaderer in the 440, John Taylor in high hurdles, Charles Thayer in the low hurdles, and Richard Cooley in the 880.
Other Britons contributing to the team's success throughout the season were Willis Ash, James Bishop, Peter Christ, Charles Connelly, William Collison, Robert DiCarlo, Robert Engleman, David Gray, Walter Hierholzer, Richard Hubbard, Brien Lang, Richard Lawson, Elmer Morehouse, Gary Novle, John Schermer, Robert Schermer, Earle Stine, Captain James Timmons, Jerome Timmons and Terru Vliek. Managers were John Dunlop, Richard Kemp and Oscar Link.
The Britons finished the 1954 season with a perfect record, including the triumph in the all-conference meet. During the regular season, Briton runners garnered 869.50 points to their opponents 228.25
1964 Swimming Team
Under the direction of Coach Robert Wikstrom, the 1964 swimming team captured the MIAA Championship with an 11-3 record, the best record for any swimming team in Albion's history.
Outstanding individual performances were given by Captain Melvin Smith in the distance freestyle, Thomson Pantlind and Stephen Dickson in the sprint freestyle, Richard Hanson in the individual medley, John Sebastian in the butterfly, Arthur Cash in the backstroke, and Robert Schellig in the breaststroke. In the 200-yard breaststroke, Schellig had only one defeat in 19 races over a two-year period.
All seven of these swimmers were invited to participate in the NCAA College Division Swimming Championships, and Paintlind swam to third place in the 50-yard freestyle, setting an Albion record in the process.
The team tagged Mel Smith as Most Valuable Swimmer. Overall, the team set 13 pool and/or school records. They swam, not only against MIAA teams, but also against Western Michigan, Ball State, and Kent State.
Other team members were David Betts, John Blamy, Larry Bush, Daniel Cox, Armand DeLeurere, Gerald Fitch, Thomas Geggie, Daniel Hanna, David Kitchen, George Lewis, Captain Frederick Maibauer, James Nelson, Dean Ray, Lee Stubberfield and Hal Tudor.
Â
