The 1939 Ohio Athletic Conference football season was the season of
college football
College football (french: Football universitaire) refers to gridiron football played by teams of student athletes. It was through college football play that American football rules first gained popularity in the United States.
Unlike most ...
played by the 20 member schools of the
Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC), commonly referred to as the "Ohio Conference", as part of the
1939 college football season
The 1939 college football season concluded with the Aggies of The Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (Texas A&M) being named as the national champions by the voters in the Associated Press writers' poll. Led by consensus All-American ...
. It was the 18th season of intercollegiate football competition in the OAC.
At a meeting of OAC coaches and athletic directors in May 1939, the OAC adopted a new ruling that it would begin recognizing a conference champion in the fall of 1939. No official record of conference champions had been made previously. In order to be eligible for the championship, the OAC ruled that a team must have played at least five games against OAC opponents. George Daniel was named conference commissioner for the 1939-40 academic year.
In June 1939, the
Buckeye Conference
The Buckeye Athletic Association, also known as the Buckeye Conference, was an athletic league formed out of members of the Ohio Athletic Conference. Its original membership in 1926 included Ohio Wesleyan University (Battling Bishops), Ohio Univers ...
was disbanded, leaving the OAC as "the only major conference operating among Ohio colleges."
[
The Muskingum Fighting Muskies won the 1939 OAC championship with an 8–1 record (7–0 against OAC opponents).][ Three Muskies won first-team spots on the 1939 All-OAC football teams, as selected by both the Associated Press (AP) and United Press (UP).][ Quarterback George Keel of Ohio Northern received the highest vote count in the UP ballots.][
]
Teams
Muskingum
The 1939 Muskingum Fighting Muskies football team represented Muskingum University of New Concord, Ohio
New Concord is a village (United States)#Ohio, village in Muskingum County, Ohio, Muskingum County, Ohio, United States. The population is 2,491 as of the 2010 United States Census, 2010 census. New Concord is the home of Muskingum University and ...
. In their fourth season under head coach Stu Holcomb
Stuart K. Holcomb (September 11, 1910 – January 11, 1977) was an American football and basketball coach best known for serving as head football coach for Miami University (1942–1943) and Purdue University (1947–1955). Before coaching, Holcomb ...
, the Fighting Muskies compiled an 8–1 record (7–0 against OAC opponents) and won the OAC championship.
Toledo
The 1939 Toledo Rockets football team represented Toledo University (renamed the University of Toledo in 1967) of Toledo, Ohio. In their fourth season under head coach Clarence Spears
Clarence Wiley "Doc" Spears (July 24, 1894 – February 1, 1964) was an American football player, coach, and doctor. He was an All-American guard at Dartmouth College (1914–1915) and served as the head football coach at Dartmouth (1917–1920), ...
, the Rockets compiled a 7–3 record, shut out four of ten opponents, and outscored opponents by a total of 180 to 59. The defense held opponents to 5.9 points per game and allowed only nine touchdowns, both of which remain program records. The team allowed zero passing touchdowns, which is tied for the program record.
Frank Maher, who later played in the NFL for the Philadelphia Eagles, was the team captain. He returned a kickoff 92 yards in a game against Long Island.
After the season
=NFL Draft
=
The following Rocket was selected in the 1940 NFL Draft
The 1940 National Football League Draft was held on December 9, 1939, at the Schroeder Hotel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. With the first overall pick of the draft, the Chicago Cardinals selected George Cafego.
Player selections
Round one
Round ...
following the season.
Capital
The 1939 Capital Crusaders football team represented Capital University
Capital University (Capital, Cap, or CU) is a private university in Bexley, Ohio. Capital was founded as the Theological Seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Ohio in 1830, and later was associated with that synod's successor, the Ame ...
of Columbus, Ohio
Columbus () is the state capital and the most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio. With a 2020 census population of 905,748, it is the 14th-most populous city in the U.S., the second-most populous city in the Midwest, after Chicago, and t ...
. In their second year under head coach Paul Davidson, the Crusaders compiled a 5–2 record (5–1 against OAC opponents) and finished in third place in the OAC.
Case
The 1939 Case Rough Riders football team represented the Case School of Applied Science in Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland ( ), officially the City of Cleveland, is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Cuyahoga County. Located in the northeastern part of the state, it is situated along the southern shore of Lake Erie, across the U.S. ...
, now a part of Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) is a private research university in Cleveland, Ohio. Case Western Reserve was established in 1967, when Western Reserve University, founded in 1826 and named for its location in the Connecticut Western Reser ...
. In their tenth year under head coach Ray A. Ride
Ray A. Ride (March 4, 1904 – May 6, 1990) was an American football player, coach, and college athletic administrator. He served as the head football coach at Case Institute of Technology—now known as Case Western Reserve University—from 19 ...
, the Rough Riders compiled a 6–2 record (3–1 against OAC opponents) and finished in a three-way tie for fourth place in the OAC.
Case was ranked at No. 192 (out of 609 teams) in the final Litkenhous Ratings for 1939.
Bowling Green
The 1939 Bowling Green Falcons football team represented Bowling Green State College (later renamed Bowling Green State University). In their fifth season under head coach Harry Ockerman
Harry N. Ockerman (December 20, 1902 – September 30, 1979) was American football, basketball, and baseball player and coach. He served as the head football coach at Bowling Green State University from 1935 to 1940 and at Michigan State Normal Col ...
, the Falcons compiled a 6–1–1 record (3–1–1 against OAC opponents), finished in a three-way tie for fourth place in the OAC, and outscored opponents by a total of 159 to 46. Edward Siminski was the team captain. The team played its home games at University Stadium in Bowling Green, Ohio.
Findlay
The 1939 Findlay Oilers football team represented the University of Findlay of Findlay, Ohio. In their fourth year under head coach Howard Kissell, the Oilers compiled a 4–2–1 record (3–1–1 against OAC opponents) and finished in a three-way tie for fourth place in the OAC.
Findlay was ranked at No. 378 (out of 609 teams) in the final Litkenhous Ratings for 1939.
Denison
The 1946 Denison Big Red football team represented Denison University of Granville, Ohio. In their fourth year under head coach Tom Rogers, the Big Red compiled a 5–2 record against OAC opponents) and finished in seventh place in the OAC.
Denison was ranked at No. 284 (out of 609 teams) in the final Litkenhous Ratings for 1939.
Wittenberg
The 1939 Wittenberg Tigers football team represented the Wittenberg University of Springfield, Ohio
Springfield is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Clark County, Ohio, Clark County. The municipality is located in southwestern Ohio and is situated on the Mad River (Ohio), Mad River, Buck Creek, and Beaver Creek, approxim ...
. In their eleventh year under head coach Bill Stobbs
Thomas William Stobbs Jr. (May 28, 1896 – November 14, 1968) was a professional American football player for the National Football League's Detroit Tigers. He attended high school in Wheeling, West Virginia player college football at Washi ...
, the Tigers compiled a 5–3 record (4–2 against OAC opponents) and finished in eighth place in the OAC.
Wittenberg was ranked at No. 242 (out of 609 teams) in the final Litkenhous Ratings for 1939.
John Carroll
The 1939 John Carroll Blue Streaks football team represented John Carroll University of University Heights, Ohio. In their fourth season under head coach Tom Conley, the Blue Streaks compiled a 7–1 record (2–1 against OAC opponents). John Carroll won its first Big Four conference title, going a perfect 3–0.
Five John Carroll players received honors from the United Press on its 1939 All-Ohio Conference football team. End Jack Dewan won first-team honors, and four others received second-team recognition: tackle Sulzer; guard Rancourt; halfback Carl Estenik; and fullback Young.
John Carroll was ranked at No. 137 (out of 609 teams) in the final Litkenhous Ratings for 1939.
Ohio Northern
The 1939 Ohio Northern Polar Bears football team represented Ohio Northern University of Ada, Ohio. In their ninth season under head coach Harris Lamb, the Polar Bears compiled a 5–3 record (5–3 against OAC opponents) and finished in tenth place in the OAC.
Ohio Northern was ranked at No. 361 (out of 609 teams) in the final Litkenhous Ratings for 1939.
Marietta
The 1939 Marietta Pioneers football team represented the Marietta College of Marietta, Ohio. In their 13th year under head coach Frank L. Hayes
Frank Louis "Duke" Hayes (November 21, 1893July 1, 1967) was an American football and basketball player, coach, and athletic director. He was a football and basketball player at Marietta College from 1915 to 1918. From 1919 to 1924, he was a ...
, the Pioneers compiled a 4–3 record (2–3 against OAC opponents) and finished in a tie for 11th place in the OAC.
Mount Union
The 1939 Mount Union Purple Raiders football team represented the University of Mount Union of Alliance, Ohio
Alliance is a city in eastern Stark County, Ohio, United States. With a small district lying in adjacent Mahoning County, the city is approximately northeast of Canton, southwest of Youngstown and southeast of Cleveland. The population was 21 ...
. In their eighth season under head coach Harry Geltz
Harry may refer to:
TV shows
* ''Harry'' (American TV series), a 1987 American comedy series starring Alan Arkin
* ''Harry'' (British TV series), a 1993 BBC drama that ran for two seasons
* ''Harry'' (talk show), a 2016 American daytime talk show ...
, the Purple Raiders compiled a 3–5–1 record (2–3–1 against OAC opponents) and finished in a tie for 11th place in the OAC.
Mount Union was ranked at No. 348 (out of 609 teams) in the final Litkenhous Ratings for 1939.
Wooster
The 1939 Wooster Fighting Scots football team represented the College of Wooster of Wooster, Ohio. In their 13th and final year under head coach Lawrence C. Boles
Lawrence Casper Boles (September 9, 1883 – August 19, 1945) was an American college football
College football (french: Football universitaire) refers to gridiron football played by teams of student athletes. It was through college footb ...
, the Fighting Scots compiled a 2–6 record (2–4 against OAC opponents) and finished in a tie for 13th place in the OAC.
Wooster was ranked at No. 354 (out of 609 teams) in the final Litkenhous Ratings for 1939.
Baldwin–Wallace
The 1939 Baldwin–Wallace Yellow Jackets football team represented Baldwin Wallace University of Berea, Ohio
Berea ( ) is a city in Cuyahoga County in the U.S. state of Ohio and is a western suburb of Cleveland. The population was 19,093 at the 2010 census. Berea is home to Baldwin Wallace University, as well as the training facility for the Cleveland ...
. In their 12th season under head coach Ray E. Watts
Raymond Ernest Watts (September 18, 1895 – June 3, 1969) was an American football, basketball and baseball coach. He served as a head coach in three different sports at Baldwin–Wallace College–now known as Baldwin Wallace University—in ...
, the Yellow Jackets compiled 6–2 record (1–2 against OAC opponents), finished in a tie for 13th place in the OAC and finished in 12th place in the OAC.
Baldwin-Wallace back George Morris led Ohio with 100 points scored.
Baldwin-Wallace was ranked at No. 101 (out of 609 teams) in the final Litkenhous Ratings for 1939.
Heidelberg
The 1939 Heidelberg Student Princes football team represented the Heidelberg University of Tiffin, Ohio. In their tenth season under head coach Ted Turney
Theodore Roosevelt Turney (April 27, 1901 – February 3, 1979) was an American football and basketball player and coach. He served as the head football coach at Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio from 1940 to 1945, compiling a record of 51– ...
, the Student Princes compiled a 2–7 record (2–5 against OAC opponents) and finished in 15th place in the OAC.
Heidelberg as ranked at No. 568 in the final Litkenhous Ratings for 1939.
Ashland
The 1939 Ashland Eagles football team represented Ashland University
Ashland University is a private university in Ashland, Ohio. The university consists of a main campus and several off-campus centers throughout central and northern Ohio. Ashland was founded in 1878 as Ashland College. It is affiliated with The ...
of Ashland, Ohio. In their second year under head coach Tony Loreno, the Tigers compiled a 2–4 record (1–3 against OAC opponents) and finished in a tie for 16th place in the OAC.
Ashland was ranked at No. 579 in the final Litkenhous Ratings for 1939.
Kent State
The 1939 Kent State Golden Flashes football team represented Kent State University of Kent, Ohio
Kent is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the largest city in Portage County. It is located along the Cuyahoga River in Northeast Ohio on the western edge of the county. The population was 28,215 at the 2020 Census. The city is counted as pa ...
. In their fifth season under head coach Donald Starn, the Golden Flashes compiled a 3–4–1 record (1–3–1 against OAC opponents). The team compiled a 3–1–1 record through the end of October, but then lost all three November games, including back-to-back shutouts against rival Bowling Green (0–34) and Western Reserve (0–38).
Kent State was ranked at No. 424 in the final Litkenhous Ratings for 1939.
Kenyon
The 1939 Kenyon Lords football team represented Kenyon College of Gambier, Ohio
Gambier is a village in Knox County, Ohio, United States. The population was 2,391 at the 2010 census.
Gambier is the home of Kenyon College. A major feature is a gravel path running the length of the village, referred to as "Middle Path". This ...
. In their third year under head coach Dwight Hafeli, the Lords compiled a 0–6–1 record (0–4 against OAC opponents) and finished in a three-way tie for last place in the OAC.
Kenyon was ranked at No. 585 in the final Litkenhous Ratings for 1939.
Oberlin
The 1939 Oberlin Yeomen football team represented Oberlin College
Oberlin College is a Private university, private Liberal arts colleges in the United States, liberal arts college and conservatory of music in Oberlin, Ohio. It is the oldest Mixed-sex education, coeducational liberal arts college in the United S ...
of Oberlin, Ohio. In their 10th season under head coach Lysle K. Butler
Lysle K. Butler (1903 – July 1973) was an American football, basketball, and tennis coach and college athletics administrator. Butler served as the head football coach at Franklin College in Franklin, Indiana from 1928 to 1929. He spent the n ...
, the Cardinals compiled a 3–4–1 record (0–3 against OAC opponents) and finished in a three-way tie for last place in the OAC.
Senior quarterback Robert T. Kretchmar was the captain.
Otterbein
The 1939 Otterbein Cardinals football team represented Otterbein University
Otterbein University is a private university in Westerville, Ohio. It offers 74 majors and 44 minors as well as eight graduate programs. The university was founded in 1847 by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ and named for United Bre ...
of Westerville, Ohio. In their first season under head coach Sam T. Selby, the Cardinals compiled a 0–8 record (0–7 against OAC opponent) and finished in a three-way tie for last place in the OAC.
Otterbein was ranked at No. 590 in the final Litkenhous Ratings for 1939.
References
{{Ohio Athletic Conference football navbox
Ohio Athletic Conference football