1939 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season

August 2023 1939 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Football 7 Albion Champion Football 1938 1940 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. rankTeamHead coachOverall recordConf. recordPoints scoredPoints against1AlbionDale R. Sprankle7–16–0170232HillsdaleDwight Harwood6–15–112218 3HopeBud Hinga4–2–23–2–111043 4KalamazooChester S. Barnard3–53–3 5AlmaGordon MacDonald2–5–12–3–1 6AdrianHarve A. Oliphant2–61–5 7OlivetWilliam Hemingway1–70–6 Teams Albion 1939 Albion Britons football Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association MIAA 7–1 6–0 Dale R. Sprankle 17th Alumni Field 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. Albion was ranked at No. 363 (out of 609 teams) in the final Litkenhous Ratings for 1939.Vols Second In Final Litkenhous Grid Rankings; Southern California Tenth E. E. Litkenhous Johnson City Sunday Press December 31, 1939 11 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123000367/vols-second-in-final-litkenhous-grid/ Newspapers.com y September 22 at Mount Union<ncg> Alliance, OH L 0-13 September 29 at Alma Alma, MI W 6-0 Albion Winner in Last Period: Alma Beaten, 6 to 0, on Late Pass The Detroit Free Press September 30, 1939 17 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122313070/albion-winner-in-last-period/ Newspapers.com October 6 Kalamazoo Alumni Field Albion, MI W 7-0 Score by Sub Beats Hornets: Albion Wins M.I.A.A. Contest by 7 to 0 The Detroit Free Press October 7, 1939 17 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122312408/score-by-sub-beats-hornets-albion-wins/ Newspapers.com October 14 at Adrian Adrian, MI W 51-0 Albion Swamps Adrian The Detroit Free Press October 15, 1939 Sports 2 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122312682/albion-swamps-adrian/ Newspapers.com October 20 1939 Defiance Yellow Jackets Defiance<ncg> Alumni Field Albion, MI W 48-0 Albion Attack Clicks, Routs Defiance, 48-0 The State Journal October 21, 1939 10 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122312790/albion-attack-clicks-routs-defiance/ Newspapers.com October 28 at Hillsdale Hillsdale, MI W 6-3 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 9 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122312915/albion-ends-hillsdale-victory-streak-6/ Newspapers.com November 4 Olivet<hc> Alumni Field Albion, MI W 39-0 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 7 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122312017/albion-college-drubs-weak-olivet-39-0/ Newspapers.com November 11 Hope Alumni Field Albion, MI W 13-7 Albion Wins First M.I.A.A. Grid Title Since 1928: Score 13-7 Win Over Hope The State Journal November 12, 1939 14 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122312233/albion-college-drubs-weak-olivet-39-0/ Newspapers.com Hillsdale 1939 Hillsdale Dales football Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association MIAA 6–1 5–1 Dwight Harwood 13th 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. Hillsdale was ranked at No. 359 (out of 609 teams) in the final Litkenhous Ratings for 1939. y September 30 at Adrian Adrian, MI W 39-0 Hillsdale Sweeps Over Adrian, 39-0 The State Journal October 1, 1939 17 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122320012/hillsdale-sweeps-over-adrian-39-0/ Newspapers.com October 7 1939 Grand Rapids Raiders Grand Rapids<ncg> Hillsdale, MI W 8-6 Hillsdale Saves Mark The Detroit Free Press October 8, 1939 Sport 2 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122320264/hillsdale-saves-mark/ Newspapers.com October 14 at Kalamazoo Kalamazoo, MI W 6-0 Hillsdale Tops Hornets, 6 to 0: Larson Catches Pass for Touchdown The Detroit Free Press October 15, 1939 Sport 2 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122320448/hillsdale-tops-hornets-6-to-0-larson/ Newspapers.com October 21 Alma Hillsdale, MI W 6-0 Dales Register No. 12 in Row: First-Quarter Score Beats Alma, 6-0 The Detroit Free Press October 22, 1939 Sport 5 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122320733/dales-register-no-12-in-row/ Newspapers.com October 28 Albion Hillsdale, MI L 3-6 November 4 at Hope Holland, MI W 10-6 Hillsdale Crushes Hope The Detroit Free Press November 5, 1939 Sport 2 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122320933/hillsdale-crushes-hope/ Newspapers.com November 11 Olivet Hillsdale, MI W 50-0 Hillsdale Star Shows Way in Crushing Olivet The State Journal November 12, 1939 14 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122321127/hillsdale-star-shows-way-in-crushing/ Newspapers.com Hope 1939 Hope Flying Dutchmen football Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association MIAA 4–2–2 3–2–1 Bud Hinga 9th 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. y September 22 1939 Ferris Institute Bulldogs Ferris Institute<ncg> Holland, MI W 18-6 Early Scores Win for Hope: Ferris Defeated, 18-6, in Grid Opener The Detroit Free Press September 23, 1939 19 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122331325/early-scores-win-for-hope-ferris/ Newspapers.com September 29 1939 Grand Rapids Raiders Grand Rapids<ncg> Holland, MI T 0-0 Hope Plays 0-0 Tie The Detroit Free Press September 30, 1939 17 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122331046/hope-plays-0-0-tie/ Newspapers.com October 6 Adrian Holland, MI W 31-0 Hope Routs Adrian The Detroit Free Press October 7, 1939 17 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122324943/hope-routs-adrian/ Newspapers.com October 13 at Alma Bahlke Field Alma, MI T 14-14 Alma, Hope Finish in 14-14 Deadlock: Wooden Shoes Rally to Score Two Touchdowns in Last Quarter The State Journal October 14, 1939 10 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122325405/alma-hope-finish-in-14-14-deadlock/ Newspapers.com October 20 Kalamazoo Holland, MI w 7-0 Hope Breaks Jinx October 21, 1939 Sports 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122325741/hope-breaks-jinx/ Newspapers.com October 28 at Olivet Olivet, MI W 27-0 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 9 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122324646/hope-defeats-olivet-to-keep-in-title/ Newspapers.com November 4 Hillsdale Holland, MI L 6-10 November 11 at Albion Alumni Field Albion, MI L 7-13 Kalamazoo 1939 Kalamazoo Hornets football Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association MIAA 3–5 3–3 Chester S. Barnard 15th 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. Kalamazoo was ranked at No. 467 in the final Litkenhous Ratings for 1939. y September 23 at 1939 Lake Forest Foresters Lake Forest<ncg> Farwell Field Lake Forest, IL L 0-7 September 30 at Olivet Olivet, MI W 21-6 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 7 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122333260/kalamazoo-wins-21-6-game-against/ Newspapers.com October 6 at Albion Alumni Field Albion, MI L 0-7 October 14 Hillsdale Kalamazoo, MI L 0-6 October 20 at Hope Holland, MI L 0-7 October 27 at Michigan State Normal<ncg> Briggs Field Ypsilanti, MI L 6-19 Hurons Win No. 1 The Detroit Free Press October 28, 1939 17 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122064220/hurons-win-no-1/ Newspapers.com November 3 Alma Kalamazoo, MI W 7-6 Hornets Nose Out Alma The Detroit Free Press November 4, 1939 18 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122333642/hornets-nose-out-alma/ Newspapers.com November 10 Adrian Kalamazoo, MI W 47-0 Seven of Hornets Will End Careers The Detroit Free Press November 10, 1939 23 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122332282/seven-of-hornets-will-end-careers/ Newspapers.comSenior Leads Hornet Victory: Wood Scores Four Times on Adrian The Detroit Free Press November 11, 1939 16 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122332561/senior-leads-hornet-victory-wood/ Newspapers.com Alma 1939 Alma Scots football Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association MIAA 2–5–1 2–3–1 Gordon MacDonald 4th Bahlke Field 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. Alma was ranked at No. 459 in the final Litkenhous Ratings for 1939. y September 23 at 1939 Ohio Wesleyan Battling Bishops Ohio Wesleyan Delaware, OH L 0-27 Alma Eleven Is Turned Back, 27-0 September 24, 1939 28 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer-alma-eleven-is-t/134371054/ Newspapers.com September 29 Albion Bahlke Field Alma, MI L 0-6 October 7 at Olivet Olivet, MI W 37-7 October 13 Hope Bahlke Field Alma, MI T 14-14 October 21 at Hillsdale Hillsdale, MI L 0-6 October 27 Adrian Alma, MI W 31-0 November 3 at Kalamazoo Kalamazoo, MI L 6-7 November 10 at Michigan State Normal Briggs Field Ypsilanti, MI L 6-16 Hurons Trim Alma The Detroit Free Press November 11, 1939 16 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122064297/hurons-trim-alma/ Newspapers.com Adrian 1939 Adrian Bulldogs football Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association MIAA 2–6 1–5 Harve A. Oliphant 2nd 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. y September 22 at 1939 Assumption Purple Warriors Assumption (ON)<ncg> Windsor, ON L 0-18 Assumption Beats Adrian on Passes Detroit Free Press September 23, 1939 17 https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-assumption-beats-adri/134369780/ Newspapers.com September 30 Hillsdale Adrian, MI L 0-39 October 6 at Hope Holland, MI L 0-31 October 14 Albion Adrian, MI L 0-51 October 21 Olivet Adrian, MI W 21-0 Adrian Finally Wins Detroit Free Press October 22, 1939 Sports 4 https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-adrian-finally-wins/134363199/ Newspapers.com October 27 at Alma Alma, MI L 0-31 November 4 1939 St. Mary's Eagles St. Mary's (MI)<ncg> Adrian, MI W 26-0 Adrian Routs St. Mary's Detroit Free Press November 5, 1939 Sport 2 https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-adrian-routs-st-mary/134370155/ Newspapers.com November 10 at Kalamazoo Kalamazoo, MI L 0-47 Olivet 1939 Olivet Comets football Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association MIAA 1–7 0–6 William Hemingway 4th 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. y September 22 at 1939 Grand Rapids Raiders Grand Rapids<ncg> Grand Rapids, MI L 6-7 Jaysees Beat Olivet Detroit Free Press September 23, 1939 19 https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-jaysees-beat-olivet/134364519/ Newspapers.com September 30 Kalamazoo Olivet, MI L 6-21 October 7 Alma Olivet, MI L 6-37 Alma Eleven Rolls Over Olivet, 37-6 Lansing State Journal October 8, 1939 14 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-alma-eleven-rolls/134364065/ Newspapers.com October 14 vs 1939 St. Mary's Eagles St. Mary's (MI)<ncg> Pontiac, MI W 31-0 First Grid Victory Scored by Olivet Detroit Free Press October 15, 1939 Sport 2 https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-first-grid-victory-sc/134363725/ Newspapers.com October 21 at Adrian Adrian, MI L 0-21 October 28 Hope Olivet, MI L 0-27 November 4 at Albion Alumni Field Albion, MI L 0-39 November 11 at Hillsdale Hillsdale, MI L 0-50 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 Dales Awarded Five Positions: Hillsdale Players Dominate All-Conference Grid Team In M.I.A.A. The State Journal November 30, 1939 28 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122313998/dales-awarded-five-positions-hillsdale/ Newspapers.com References