Bill McElwain

Bill McElwain
McElwain in 1923 as Northwestern's football team captain
Biographical details
Born(1903-05-14)May 14, 1903
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
DiedNovember 26, 1996(1996-11-26) (aged 93)
Big Rapids, Michigan, U.S.
Playing career
Football
1921–1923Northwestern
1924Chicago Cardinals
1925Chicago Bears
1926Chicago Cardinals
Position(s)Halfback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1927–1939Ferris
Basketball
1927–1940Ferris
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
1927–?Ferris State
Head coaching record
Overall31–44–7 (football)
109–127 (basketball)

William Thompson McElwain (May 14, 1903 – November 26, 1996) was an American football player and coach of football and basketball. McElwain played college football at Northwestern University and professionally in the National Football League (NFL) with the Chicago Cardinals and alongside Red Grange with the Chicago Bears.[1] McElwain served as the head football coach at Ferris State College—now known as Ferris State University—in Big Rapids, Michigan from 1927 to 1939, compiling a record of 31–44–7.[2] He was also the head basketball coach at Ferris State from 1927 to 1940, tallying a mark of 109–127.

Head coaching record[edit]

Football[edit]

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Ferris Bulldogs (Independent) (1927–1937)
1927 Ferris 4–3
1928 Ferris 6–2
1929 Ferris 3–2–1
1930 Ferris 3–3
1931 Ferris 3–4–1
1932 No team
1933 Ferris 2–4
1934 Ferris 1–5
1935 Ferris 4–2
1936 Ferris 1–5–1
1937 Ferris 2–3–2
Ferris Bulldogs (Michigan-Ontario Collegiate Conference) (1938–1939)
1938 Ferris 0–5–2
1939 Ferris 2–6 2–2 T–2nd
Ferris: 31–44–7
Total: 31–44–7

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Illini Club with Friends Great Famous Sorrel Top with Rousing Banquet". The Miami News. Miami, Florida. December 24, 1925. p. 1. Retrieved July 10, 2019 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  2. ^ "Former Purple Star to Coach at Ferris". Battle Creek Enquirer. Battle Creek, Michigan. Associated Press. July 19, 1927. p. 1. Retrieved March 1, 2018 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.

External links[edit]