1941 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season

1941 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season
League	Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Sport	Football
Number of teams	6
Champion	Alma

1941 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football standings

v t e	Conf.							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
Alma $	4	–	0	–	1			6	–	0	–	1
Albion	3	–	1	–	1			3	–	4	–	1
Hope	2	–	1	–	2			3	–	2	–	3
Kalamazoo	2	–	2	–	1			5	–	2	–	1
Hillsdale	1	–	3	–	1			3	–	4	–	1
Adrian	0	–	5	–	0			2	–	6	–	0
$ – Conference champion

The 1941 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season was the season of college football played by the six member schools of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) as part of the 1941 college football season.

The Alma Scots, led by head coach Gordon MacDonald, won the MIAC championship with a 6–0–1 record (4–0–1 against conference opponents) and outscored opponents by a total 131 to 19.

Conference overview

Conf. rank	Team	Head coach	Overall record	Conf. record	Points scored	Points against
1	Alma	Gordon MacDonald	6–0–1	4–0–1	131	19
2	Albion	Del Anderson	3–4–1	3–0–1	52	118
3	Hope	Bud Hinga	3–2–3	2–1–2	35	36
4	Kalamazoo	Chester S. Barnard	5–2–1	2–2–1	68	38
5	Hillsdale	Dwight Harwood	3–4–1	1–3–1	61	89
6	Adrian	Harve A. Oliphant	2–6	0–5	19	141

[1]

Teams

Alma

1941 Alma Scots football
Conference	Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record	6–0–1 (4–0–1 MIAA)
Head coach	Gordon MacDonald (6th season)

The 1941 Alma Scots football team represented Alma College of Alma, Michigan. In their sixth year under head coach Gordon MacDonald, the Scots compiled a 6–0–1 record (4–0–1 against MIAA opponents), won the MIAA championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 131 to 19.

Four Alma players were named to the All-Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football team; quarterback Robert Kirby; end Keith Carey; tackle Edward Baklarz; and guard James Hicks.[2]

Alma was ranked at No. 258 (out of 681 teams) in the final rankings under the Litkenhous Difference by Score System.[3]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Source
September 27	at Grand Rapids*	Grand Rapids, MI	W 12–0
October 3	Hope	Alma, MI	T 7–7	[4]
October 10	at Hillsdale	Hillsdale, MI	W 6–0
October 18	Adrian	Alma, MI	W 46–6	[5]
October 25	at Kalamazoo	Kalamazoo, MI	W 13–0	[6]
October 31	vs. Lawrence Tech*	Bay City, MI	W 26–6	[7]
November 8	Albion	Alma, MI	W 21–0	[8][9]
*Non-conference game

Albion

1941 Albion Britons football
Conference	Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record	3–4–1 (3–0–1 MIAA)
Head coach	Dale R. Sprankle (19th season)

The 1941 Albion Britons football team represented Albion College of Albion, Michigan. In their 19th year under head coach Dale R. Sprankle, the Britons compiled a 3–4–1 record (3–0–1 against MIAA opponents), finished in second place in the MIAA, and were outscored by a total of 118 to 52. The game between Albion and Hillsdale marked the 50th anniversary of the first football game between the schools, which was also the first football game in the MIAA.[10]

Albion tackle Robert Fles was selected as a first-team player on the 1941 All-Star M.I.A.A. football team.[2]

Albion was ranked at No. 457 (out of 681 teams) in the final rankings under the Litkenhous Difference by Score System.[3]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Source
September 27	at Ohio Wesleyan*	Delaware, OH	L 0–33	[11]
October 4	at Adrian	Adrian, MI	W 12–0	[12]
October 10	Ohio Northern*	Alumni Field Albion, MI	L 6–25	[13]
October 18	at Hillsdale	Hillsdale, MI	T 7–7	[14]
October 25	Lake Forest*	Alumni Field Albion, MI	L 7–26	[15]
November 1	Hope	Alumni Field Albion, MI	W 7–0	[16]
November 8	at Alma	Alma, MI	L 0–21	[8]
November 15	Kalamazoo	Albion, MI	W 13–6	[17]
*Non-conference game Homecoming

Hope

1941 Hope Flying Dutchmen football
Conference	Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record	3–2–3 (2–1–2 MIAA)
Head coach	Bud Hinga (11th season)

The 1941 Hope Flying Dutchmen football team represented Hope College of Hope, Michigan. In their 11th year under head coach Bud Hinga, the Dutchmen compiled a 3–2–3 record (2–1–2 against MIAA opponents), finished in third place in the MIAA, and were outscored by a total of 36 to 35.

Three Hope players were selected as first-team players on the 1941 All-Star M.I.A.A. football team: halfback Don Defouw; center William Tappen; and tackle Martin Bekken.[2]

Hope was ranked at No. 501 (out of 681 teams) in the final rankings under the Litkenhous Difference by Score System.[3]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Source
September 19	Grand Rapids*		W 10–0
September 26	Michigan State Normal*	Holland, MI	T 0–0	[18]
October 3	at Alma	Alma, MI	T 7–7	[4]
October 17	Grand Rapids*	Holland, MI	L 0–16	[19]
October 24	Hillsdale	Holland, MI	W 6–0
November 1	at Albion	Alumni Field Albion, MI	L 0–7	[16]
November 8	Kalamazoo*	Holland, MI	T 6–6	[20]
November 14	Adrian	Holland, MI	W 6–0	[21]
*Non-conference game

Kalamazoo

1941 Kalamazoo Hornets football
Conference	Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record	5–2–1 (2–2–1 MIAA)
Head coach	Chester S. Barnard (17th season)

The 1941 Kalamazoo Hornets football team represented Kalamazoo College of Kalamazoo, Michigan. In their 17th and final year under head coach Chester S. Barnard, the Hornets compiled a 5–2–1 record (2–2–1 against MIAA opponents), finished in fourth place in the MIAA, and outscored opponents by a total of 68 to 38.

Kalamazoo was ranked at No. 467 (out of 681 teams) in the final rankings under the Litkenhous Difference by Score System.[3]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Source
September 26	Grand Rapids*		W 15–0	[22]
October 4	Hillsdale	Kalamazoo, MI	W 8–0	[23]
October 11	Michigan State Normal*	Kalamazoo, MI	W 7–0	[24]
October 18	at Western Ontario*	London, ON	W 7–6	[25][26]
October 25	Alma	Kalamazoo, MI	L 0–13	[6]
November 1	Adrian	Kalamazoo, MI	W 19–0	[27]
November 8	at Hope	Holland, MI	T 6–6	[20]
November 15	at Albion	Albion, MI	L 6–13	[17]
*Non-conference game

Hillsdale

1941 Hillsdale Dales football
Conference	Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record	3–4–1 (1–3–1 MIAA)
Head coach	Dwight Harwood (15th season)

The 1941 Hillsdale Dales football team was an American football team that represented Hillsdale College in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) during the 1941 college football season. In their 15th year under head coach Dwight Harwood, the Dales compiled a 3–4–1 record (1–3–1 against MIAA opponents), finished in fifth place out of six teams in the MIAA, and were outscored by a total of 89 to 51.

Brothers Bob and Burr Manby starred at the guard and fullback positions.[28] The brothers were both named to the 1941 all-conference football team.[29]

Paul Wright was the team captain.[28]

Hillsdale was ranked at No. 479 (out of 681 teams) in the final rankings under the Litkenhous Difference by Score System.[3]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Source
September 19	Dayton*	Dayton Stadium Dayton, OH	L 0–62	[30]
October 4	Kalamazoo	Kalamazoo, MI	L 0–8	[23]
October 10	Alma	Hillsdale, MI	L 0–6
October 18	Albion	Hillsdale, MI	T 7–7	[31]
October 24	at Hope	Holland, MI	L 0–6
October 31	Grand Rapids*	Hillsdale, MI	W 20–0	[32]
November 8	at Adrian	Adrian, MI	W 14–0
November 15	at Lawrence Tech*	Ives Field Detroit, MI	W 20–0	[33]
*Non-conference game

Adrian

1941 Adrian Bulldogs football
Conference	Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record	2–6 (0–5 MIAA)
Head coach	Harve A. Oliphant (4th season)

The 1941 Adrian Bulldogs football team represented Adrian College of Adrian, Michigan. In their fourth and final year under head coach Harve A. Oliphant, the Bulldogs compiled a 2–6 record (0–5 against MIAA opponents), finished in last place out of six teams in the MIAA, and were outscored by a total of 141 to 19.

Adrian was ranked at No. 620 (out of 681 teams) in the final rankings under the Litkenhous Difference by Score System.[3]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Source
October 4	Albion	Adrian, MI	L 0–12	[12]
October 11	Ferris Institute*	Adrian, MI	W 7–6
October 18	at Alma	Alma, MI	L 6–46	[5]
October 24	at Findlay*	Findlay, OH	L 6–38
November 1	at Kalamazoo	Kalamazoo, MI	L 0–19	[27][34]
November 8	Hillsdale	Adrian, MI	L 0–14
November 15	at Hope	Holland, MI	L 0–6	[21]
*Non-conference game

All-conference team

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

• Quarterback - Bob Kirby, Alma
• Fullback - Burr Manby, Hillsdale
• Halfbacks - William Johnston, Hillsdale; Don Defouw, Hope; Jack Bockleman, Kalamazoo
• Ends - Keith Carey, Alma; Gerald Gillman, Kalamazoo
• Tackles - Edward Baklarz, Alma; Martin Bekken, Hope; J. Clay, Kalamazoo; Robert Fles, Albion
• Guards - James Hicks, Alma; Robert Manby, Hillsdale
• Center - William Tappen, Hope

[2]

References

1. Walter R. Okeson, ed. (1942). The Official 1942 Football Guide with the Official Rules. A.S. Barnes and Company. p. 92.
2. "Championship Alma Eleven Places Four Men On All-Conference Team: Albion Places Only One Man". The Lansing State Journal. November 22, 1941. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
3. Dr. E. E. Litkenhous (December 26, 1941). "Gophers Grid Kings Over 6-Year Span: Tennessee 2d, Pitt 3d Over Period Litkenhous Ratins Are Published". The Courier-Journal. p. Sports 4 – via Newspapers.com.
4. "Alma Gridmen Tied By Hope". The Lansing State Journal. October 4, 1941. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
5. "Alma Steamrollers Adrian, 46-6". Detroit Sunday Times. October 19, 1941. p. 20 – via Newspapers.com.
6. "Alma Blanks Kalamazoo". Detroit Free Press. October 26, 1941. p. II-2 – via Newspapers.com.
7. "Lawrence Tech Bows to Alma". Detroit Free Press. November 1, 1941. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
8. "Alma Clinches Title Of MIAA". The Escanaba Daily Press. November 9, 1941. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
9. "Alma Wallops Albion For Loop Title, 21-0". The Battle Creek Enquirer and News. November 9, 1941. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
10. "Albion, Hillsdale Grid Tilt Seen As Significant: Game Will Celebrate 50th Anniversary of M.I.A.A. Conference". Detroit Evening Times. October 14, 1941. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
11. "Wesleyan Jolts Albion By 33-0". The Akron Beacon Journal. September 28, 1941. p. 4C – via Newspapers.com.
12. "Albion Stops Adrian, 12-0". The Detroit Free Press. October 5, 1941. p. Sport 2 – via Newspapers.com.
13. "Ohio Northern Drubs Albion Eleven, 25-6". The Lansing State Journal. October 11, 1941. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
14. "Albion Battles Hillsdale to 7-7 Deadlock". The Detroit Free Press. October 19, 1941. p. II-2 – via Newspapers.com.
15. "Lake Forest Hands Albion 26-7 Beating". The Detroit Free Press. October 26, 1941. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
16. "Albion's Champions Remain in Race, 7-0". The Battle Creek Enquirer and News. November 2, 1941. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
17. "Albion Defeats Hornets, 13-6". The Detroit Free Press. November 16, 1941. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
18. "Hurons Miss Two Opportunities, Hold Hope to 0-0 Tie". The Ypsilanti Daily Press. September 27, 1941. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
19. "Grand Rapids Upsets Hope". The Detroit Free Press. October 18, 1941. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
20. "Hope, Kalamazoo Tie on Very Wet Field". Detroit Sunday Times. November 9, 1941. p. II-4 – via Newspapers.com.
21. "Hope Defeats Adrian in M.I.A.A. Tussle, 6-0". Lansing State Journal. November 15, 1941. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
22. "Hornets Sting Inaugural Foe". The Lansing State Journal. September 27, 1941. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
23. "Kalamazoo College Beats Dales, 8 to 0". The Battle Creek Enquirer and News. October 5, 1941. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
24. "Hornet Eleven Beats Michigan Normal, 7-0". The Battle Creek Enquirer and News. October 12, 1941. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
25. "Herd Beaten By One Point". The Windsor Daily Star. October 20, 1941. p. II-2 – via Newspapers.com.
26. "Western U. Beaten 7-6 By Kalamazoo College". Montreal Gazette. October 20, 1941. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
27. "Kalamazoo Hornets Win Night Game, 19-0". The Battle Creek Enquirer and News. November 2, 1941. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
28. "Hillsdale Will Face Dayton Eleven Friday". The Battle Creek Enquirer and News. September 17, 1941. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
29. "Manby Brothers Win Selections". The Battle Creek Enquirer and News. November 22, 1941. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
30. Bob Frame (September 20, 1941). "Dazzling Dayton Aggregation Swamps Helpless Hillsdale, 62-0". The Dayton Herald. pp. 6–7 – via Newspapers.com.
31. "Albion and Hillsdale Battle to 7 to 7 Tie". The Battle Creek Enquirer and News. October 19, 1941. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
32. "Hillsdale Eleven Tops Grand Rapids College". Lansing State Journal. November 1, 1941. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
33. "Lawrence Tech Bows to Hillsdale, 20-0". Detroit Free Press. November 16, 1941. p. Sports 4 – via Newspapers.com.
34. "Kalamazoo Hornets Win Night Game, 19-0". The Battle Creek Enquirer and News. November 2, 1941. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.