William T. Van de Graaff

William Travis "Bully" Van de Graaff (October 25, 1895 – April 26, 1977) was an American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator. He attended Tuscaloosa High School.[1] He played college football at the University of Alabama, where he was selected as an All-American in 1915, Alabama's first. He was 6'1" 187 pounds. "Bully" was placed on an Associated Press Southeast Area All-Time football team 1869-1919 era.[2] Van de Graaff served as the head football coach at Colorado College from 1926 to 1939, compiling a record of 49–47–6.[3] He coached hall of famer Dutch Clark. He died in Colorado Springs, Colorado on April 26, 1977 at the age of 81.[4] He was the older brother of physicist Robert J. Van de Graaff, the designer of the Van de Graaff generator which produces high voltages. Bully's two older brothers, Hargrove and Adrian, were also Alabama football players.

William T. Van de Graaff
Biographical details
Born(1895-10-25)October 25, 1895
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
DiedApril 26, 1977(1977-04-26) (aged 81)
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Playing career
1913–1915Alabama
Position(s)Tackle
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1921–1925Alabama (assistant)
1926–1939Colorado College
Head coaching record
Overall49–47–6
Accomplishments and honors
Awards
All-American (1915)
2× All-Southern (1914, 1915)
Associated Press Southeast Area All-Time football team 1869-1919 era

Head coaching record
Year Team Overall ConferenceStanding Bowl/playoffs
Colorado College Tigers (Rocky Mountain Conference) (1926–1939)
1926 Colorado College 5–25–2T–3rd
1927 Colorado College 6–25–23rd
1928 Colorado College 5–35–34th
1929 Colorado College 4–34–37th
1930 Colorado College 2–4–22–4–29th
1931 Colorado College 4–44–36th
1932 Colorado College 5–25–23rd
1933 Colorado College 2–5–12–4–18th
1934 Colorado College 1–71–6T–9th
1935 Colorado College 4–3–14–2–16th
1936 Colorado College 3–4–13–48th
1937 Colorado College 5–43–36th
1938 Colorado College
1939 Colorado College
Colorado College: 49–47–6
Total:49–47–6

References
  1. "THS Claimed 1926 National Grid Title". The Tuscaloosa News. April 25, 1969.
  2. "All-Time Football Team Lists Greats Of Past, Present". Gadsden Times. July 27, 1969.
  3. "Colorado College Football History". Colorado College Athletics. April 18, 2008. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  4. "W.T. Van de Graaf". The Tuscaloosa News. April 28, 1977. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
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