1939 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season

1939 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season
LeagueMichigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
SportFootball
Number of teams7
ChampionAlbion
Football seasons
← 1938
1940 →
1939 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Albion $ 6 – 0 – 0 7 – 1 – 0
Hillsdale 5 – 1 – 0 6 – 1 – 0
Hope 3 – 2 – 1 4 – 2 – 2
Kalamazoo 3 – 3 – 0 3 – 5 – 0
Alma 2 – 3 – 1 2 – 5 – 1
Adrian 1 – 5 – 0 2 – 6 – 0
Olivet 0 – 6 – 0 1 – 7 – 0
  • $ – Conference champion

The 1939 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season was the season of college football played by the seven member schools of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) as part of the 1939 college football season.

The Albion Britons, led by head coach Dale R. Sprankle, won the MIAA championship with a 7–1 record (6–0 against conference opponents).

The Hillsdale Dales, led by head coach Dwight Harwood, finished in second place with a 6–1 record. They dominated the 1939 All-MIAA football team, taking five of eleven first-team spots.

Conference overview

Conf. rank Team Head coach Overall record Conf. record Points scored Points against
1 Albion Dale R. Sprankle 7–1 6–0 170 23
2 Hillsdale Dwight Harwood 6–1 5–1 122 18
3 Hope Bud Hinga 4–2–2 3–2–1 110 43
4 Kalamazoo Chester S. Barnard 3–5 3–3
5 Alma Gordon MacDonald 2–5–1 2–3–1
6 Adrian Harve A. Oliphant 2–6 1–5
7 Olivet William Hemingway 1–7 0–6

Teams

Albion

1939 Albion Britons football
ConferenceMichigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record7–1 (6–0 MIAA)
Head coach
Home stadiumAlumni Field
Seasons
← 1938
1940 →

The 1939 Albion Britons football team represented Albion College of Albion, Michigan. In their 17th year under head coach Dale R. Sprankle, the Britons compiled a 7–1 record (6–0 against MIAA opponents), shut out five of eight opponents, and outscored all opponents by a total of 170 to 23. They also won the MIAA championship, the school's first football championship since 1928. After losing the opening game of the 1939 season, the Britons won 14 consecutive games during the 1939 and 1940 seasons.

Guard Walter Ptak was the only Albion player to receive first-team honors on the 1939 All-MIAA football team. Back Elwood Linlow and center Fred Cook received second-team honors.[1]

Albion was ranked at No. 363 (out of 609 teams) in the final Litkenhous Ratings for 1939.[2]

DateOpponentSiteResultSource
September 22at Mount Union*Alliance, OHL 0–13
September 29at AlmaAlma, MIW 6–0[3]
October 6Kalamazoo
W 7–0[4]
October 14at AdrianAdrian, MIW 51–0[5]
October 20Defiance*
  • Alumni Field
  • Albion, MI
W 48–0[6]
October 28at HillsdaleHillsdale, MIW 6–3[7]
November 4Olivetdagger
  • Alumni Field
  • Albion, MI
W 39–0[8]
November 11Hope
  • Alumni Field
  • Albion, MI
W 13–7[9]
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming

Hillsdale

1939 Hillsdale Dales football
ConferenceMichigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record6–1 (5–1 MIAA)
Head coach
Seasons
← 1938
1940 →

The 1939 Hillsdale Dales football team was an American football team that represented Hillsdale College in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) during the 1939 college football season. In their 13th year under head coach Dwight Harwood, the Dales compiled a 6–1 record (5–1 against MIAA opponents), finished in second place out of seven teams in the MIAA, shut out four of seven opponents, and outscored all opponents by a total of 122 to 18.

Hillsdale players won five of eleven first-team spots on the 1939 All-MIAA football team. The first-team honorees were: backs Bruce Colburn and Gordon Platt; ends Roland Larson and Jack Nordling; and tackle Max Schnitzler. A third Hillsdale back, Archie Karowski, was named to the second team.[1]

Hillsdale was ranked at No. 359 (out of 609 teams) in the final Litkenhous Ratings for 1939.[2]

DateOpponentSiteResultSource
September 30at AdrianAdrian, MIW 39–0[10]
October 7Grand Rapids JCHillsdale, MIW 8–6[11]
October 14at KalamazooKalamazoo, MIW 6–0[12]
October 21AlmaHillsdale, MIW 6–0[13]
October 28AlbionHillsdale, MIL 3–6[7]
November 4at HopeHolland, MIW 10–6[14]
November 11OlivetHillsdale, MIW 50–0[15]

Hope

1939 Hope Flying Dutchmen football
ConferenceMichigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record4–2–2 (3–2–1 MIAA)
Head coach
Seasons
← 1938
1940 →

The 1939 Hope Flying Dutchmen football team represented Hope College of Hope, Michigan. In their ninth year under head coach Bud Hinga, the Dutchmen compiled a 4–2–2 record (3–2–1 against MIAA opponents) and finished in third place in the MIAA.

Center Robert Powers was named as a first-team player on the 1939 All-MIAA football team. Three Hope players were named to the second team: back Lee Brannock; guard Robert Hudson; and end Kenneth Honholt.[1]

DateOpponentSiteResultSource
September 22Ferris Institute*Holland, MIW 18–6[16]
September 29Grand Rapids JC*Holland, MIT 0–0[17]
October 6AdrianHolland, MIW 31–0[18]
October 13at Alma
T 14–14[19]
October 20KalamazooHolland, MIW 7–0[20]
October 28at OlivetOlivet, MIW 27–0[21]
November 4HillsdaleHolland, MIL 6–10[14]
November 11at Albion
  • Alumni Field
  • Albion, MI
L 7–13[9]
  • *Non-conference game

Kalamazoo

1939 Kalamazoo Hornets football
ConferenceMichigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record3–5 (3–3 MIAA)
Head coach
Seasons
← 1938
1940 →

The 1939 Kalamazoo Hornets football team represented Kalamazoo College of Kalamazoo, Michigan. In their 15th year under head coach Chester S. Barnard, the Hornets compiled a 3–5 record (3–3 against MIAA opponents) and finished in fourth place in the MIAA.

Two Kalamazoo players were selected as first-team players on the 1939 All-MIAA football team: back Dan Wood and tackle Paul Van Keuren. Two others were named to the second team: end Dick Lemer and tackle Ernest Wood.[1]

Kalamazoo was ranked at No. 467 in the final Litkenhous Ratings for 1939.[2]

DateOpponentSiteResultSource
September 23at Lake Forest
L 0–7
September 30at OlivetOlivet, MIW 21–6[22]
October 6at Albion
  • Alumni Field
  • Albion, MI
L 0–7[4]
October 14HillsdaleKalamazoo, MIL 0–6[12]
October 20at HopeHolland, MIL 0–7[20]
October 27at Michigan State Normal*
L 6–19[23]
November 3AlmaKalamazoo, MIW 7–6[24]
November 10AdrianKalamazoo, MIW 47–0[25][26]
  • *Non-conference game

Alma

1939 Alma Scots football
ConferenceMichigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record2–5–1 (2–3–1 MIAA)
Head coach
Home stadiumBahlke Field
Seasons
← 1938
1940 →

The 1939 Alma Scots football team represented Alma College of Alma, Michigan. In their fourth year under head coach Gordon MacDonald, the Scots compiled a 2–5–1 record (2–3–1 against MIAA opponents) and finished in fifth place out of seven teams in the MIAA.

Back D. Smith and guard C. Barnett were selected as first-team players on the 1939 All-MIAA football team. Tackle E. Ziem and guard C. Hogerland were named to the second team.[1]

Alma was ranked at No. 459 in the final Litkenhous Ratings for 1939.[2]

DateOpponentSiteResultSource
September 23at Ohio WesleyanDelaware, OHL 0–27[27]
September 29Albion
  • Bahlke Field
  • Alma, MI
L 0–6[3]
October 7at OlivetOlivet, MIW 37–7[28]
October 13Hope
  • Bahlke Field
  • Alma, MI
T 14–14[19]
October 21at HillsdaleHillsdale, MIL 0–6[13]
October 27AdrianAlma, MIW 31–0
November 3at KalamazooKalamazoo, MIL 6–7[24]
November 10at Michigan State Normal
L 6–16[29]

Adrian

1939 Adrian Bulldogs football
ConferenceMichigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record2–6 (1–5 MIAA)
Head coach
Seasons
← 1938
1940 →

The 1939 Adrian Bulldogs football team represented Adrian College of Adrian, Michigan. In their second year under head coach Harve A. Oliphant, the Bulldogs compiled a 2–6 record (1–5 against MIAA opponents) and finished in sixth place out of seven teams in the MIAA.

Adrian was ranked at No. 609 in the final Litkenhous Ratings for 1939.[2]

DateOpponentSiteResultSource
September 22at Assumption (ON)Windsor, ONL 0–18[30]
September 30HillsdaleAdrian, MIL 0–39[10]
October 6at HopeHolland, MIL 0–31[18]
October 14AlbionAdrian, MIL 0–51[5]
October 21OlivetAdrian, MIW 21–0[31]
October 27at AlmaAlma, MIL 0–31
November 4St. Mary'sAdrian, MIW 26–0[32]
November 10at KalamazooKalamazoo, MIL 0–47[26]

Olivet

1939 Olivet Comets football
ConferenceMichigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record1–7 (0–6 MIAA)
Head coach
Seasons
← 1938
1940 →

The 1939 Olivet Comets football team represented Olivet College of Olivet, Michigan. In their fourth and final year under head coach William Hemingway, the Comets compiled a 1–7 record (0–6 against MIAA opponents) and finished in last place out of seven teams in the MIAA.

Olivet was ranked at No. 607 in the final Litkenhous Ratings for 1939.[2]

DateOpponentSiteResultSource
September 22at Grand Rapids JCGrand Rapids, MIL 6–7[33]
September 30KalamazooOlivet, MIL 6–21[22]
October 7AlmaOlivet, MIL 6–37[28]
October 14vs. St. Mary's of Orchard LakePontiac, MIW 31–0[34]
October 21at AdrianAdrian, MIL 0–21[31]
October 28HopeOlivet, MIL 0–27[21]
November 4at Albion
  • Alumni Field
  • Albion, MI
L 0–39[8]
November 11at HillsdaleHillsdale, MIL 0–50[15]

All-conference team

The following players were selected on the 1939 All-MIAA football team:

First team

  • Backs - D. Smith, Alma; Bruce Coburn, Hillsdale; Dan Wood, Kalamazoo; Gordon Platt, Hillsdale
  • Ends - Roland Larson, Hillsdale; Jack Nordling, Hillsdale
  • Tackles - Max Schnitzler,Hillsdale; Paul Van Keuren, Kalamazoo
  • Guards - Walter Ptak, Albion; C. Barnett, Alma
  • Center - Robert Powers, Hope

Second team

  • Backs - Lee Brannock, Hope; Elwood Linlow, Albion; Marion Diehl, Olivet; Archie Karowski, Hillsdale
  • Ends - Dick Lemer, Kalamazoo; Kenneth Honholt, Hope
  • Tackles - E. Ziem, Alma; Ernest Wood, Kalamazoo
  • Guard - Robert Hudso, Hope; C. Hogerland, Alma
  • Center - Fred Cook, Albion

[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Dales Awarded Five Positions: Hillsdale Players Dominate All-Conference Grid Team In M.I.A.A." The State Journal. November 30, 1939. p. 28 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ a b c d e f E. E. Litkenhous (December 31, 1939). "Vols Second In Final Litkenhous Grid Rankings; Southern California Tenth". Johnson City Sunday Press. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b "Albion Winner in Last Period: Alma Beaten, 6 to 0, on Late Pass". The Detroit Free Press. September 30, 1939. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b "Score by Sub Beats Hornets: Albion Wins M.I.A.A. Contest by 7 to 0". The Detroit Free Press. October 7, 1939. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b "Albion Swamps Adrian". The Detroit Free Press. October 15, 1939. p. Sports 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Albion Attack Clicks, Routs Defiance, 48-0". The State Journal. October 21, 1939. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ a b "Albion Ends Hillsdale Victory Streak, 6 to 3: Britons Overcome 3-0 Lead When Frazier Races 50 Yards to Goal". The Enquirer and Evening News. October 29, 1939. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ a b "Albion College Drubs Weak Olivet, 39-0: Britons Gain 338 Yards and 22 First Downs in M.I.A.A. Game". The Enquirer and Evening News. November 5, 1939. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ a b "Albion Wins First M.I.A.A. Grid Title Since 1928: Score 13-7 Win Over Hope". The State Journal. November 12, 1939. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ a b "Hillsdale Sweeps Over Adrian, 39-0". The State Journal. October 1, 1939. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Hillsdale Saves Mark". The Detroit Free Press. October 8, 1939. p. Sport 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ a b "Hillsdale Tops Hornets, 6 to 0: Larson Catches Pass for Touchdown". The Detroit Free Press. October 15, 1939. p. Sport 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ a b "Dales Register No. 12 in Row: First-Quarter Score Beats Alma, 6-0". The Detroit Free Press. October 22, 1939. p. Sport 5 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ a b "Hillsdale Crushes Hope". The Detroit Free Press. November 5, 1939. p. Sport 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ a b "Hillsdale Star Shows Way in Crushing Olivet". The State Journal. November 12, 1939. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "Early Scores Win for Hope: Ferris Defeated, 18-6, in Grid Opener". The Detroit Free Press. September 23, 1939. p. 19 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ "Hope Plays 0-0 Tie". The Detroit Free Press. September 30, 1939. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ a b "Hope Routs Adrian". The Detroit Free Press. October 7, 1939. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ a b "Alma, Hope Finish in 14-14 Deadlock: Wooden Shoes Rally to Score Two Touchdowns in Last Quarter". The State Journal. October 14, 1939. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ a b "Hope Breaks Jinx". October 21, 1939. p. Sports 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ^ a b "Hope Defeats Olivet To Keep in Title Race: Dutchmen Score 27 to 0 Victory to Spoil Comets' Homecoming". The Enquirer and Evening News. October 29, 1939. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^ a b "Kalamazoo Wins 21-6 Game Against Olivet: Danny Wood Leads Hornets to M.I.A.A. Victory with Two Scores". The Enquirer and Evening News. October 1, 1939. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ^ "Hurons Win No. 1". The Detroit Free Press. October 28, 1939. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ^ a b "Hornets Nose Out Alma". The Detroit Free Press. November 4, 1939. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. ^ "Seven of Hornets Will End Careers". The Detroit Free Press. November 10, 1939. p. 23 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. ^ a b "Senior Leads Hornet Victory: Wood Scores Four Times on Adrian". The Detroit Free Press. November 11, 1939. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. ^ "Alma Eleven Is Turned Back, 27-0". September 24, 1939. p. 28 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ^ a b "Alma Eleven Rolls Over Olivet, 37-6". Lansing State Journal. October 8, 1939. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ^ "Hurons Trim Alma". The Detroit Free Press. November 11, 1939. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. ^ "Assumption Beats Adrian on Passes". Detroit Free Press. September 23, 1939. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ^ a b "Adrian Finally Wins". Detroit Free Press. October 22, 1939. p. Sports 4 – via Newspapers.com.
  32. ^ "Adrian Routs St. Mary's". Detroit Free Press. November 5, 1939. p. Sport 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. ^ "Jaysees Beat Olivet". Detroit Free Press. September 23, 1939. p. 19 – via Newspapers.com.
  34. ^ "First Grid Victory Scored by Olivet". Detroit Free Press. October 15, 1939. p. Sport 2 – via Newspapers.com.