Bert Katzenmeyer Explained

Bert Katzenmeyer
Birth Date:11 July 1918
Birth Place:Ellwood City, Pennsylvania
Death Place:Silver Plume, Colorado, U.S.
Alma Mater:Alma College
Player Years1:1939–1941
Player Team1:Alma
Coach Years1:1946–1947
Coach Team1:Ohio State (assistant)
Coach Years2:1947–1968
Coach Team2:Michigan
Admin Years1:1968–1970
Admin Team1:Wichita State
Championships:3x Big Ten Conference champion (1947, 1949, 1952)

Albert C. Katzenmeyer (July 11, 1918 – October 2, 1970) was an American coach and administrator who was the men's golf coach at the University of Michigan from 1947 to 1968 and the Wichita State University athletic director from 1968 to 1970. He was one of 31 fatalities in the Wichita State University football team plane crash.

Golfing

Katzenmeyer was born in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania on July 11, 1918 to John and Elizabeth (Swartz) Katzenmeyer.[1] He played golf at Ann Arbor High School and Alma College and captained his college team to an Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship. After graduating, he spent three years in the United States Air Force and was the assistant golf coach at Ohio State University in 1946. In 1947, Katzenmeyer became the head golf coach at the University of Michigan.[2] He coached the Wolverines to Big Ten Conference championships in 1947, 1949, and 1952. One of his golfers, Dave Barclay, won the 1947 NCAA golf championship.[3] Katzenmeyer was also the coach of Michigan's junior varsity men's basketball team (1947–48) and an administrative assistant to athletic director Fielding H. Yost (1962–68).[4]

Wichita State University

On May 8, 1968, Katzenmeyer was named athletic director at Wichita State University.[5] He took over a program that had recently been placed on probation by the National Collegiate Athletic Association for recruiting violations by coach football Boyd Converse and athletic director Noah G. Allen.[6] During the 1968 Wichita State Shockers football team, feuded with head coach Eddie Kriwiel. The Shockers went winless that year and Kriwiel resigned at the end of the season. Katzenmeyer replaced him with Virginia assistant Ben Wilson.[7] On July 28, 1969, the school had its television and bowl game ban lifted by the NCAA "due largely to [Katzenmeyer's] efficient and practical reorganization of university policies and procedures.[8] In 1970, the school dropped its baseball and gymnastic programs due to budgetary issues.[9]

On October 2, 1970, a plane transporting the Wichita State football team to a game at Utah State lost power, crashed, and burned in the Rocky Mountains near Silver Plume, Colorado. Katzenmeyer and his wife were among the 31 persons killed in the crash.[10]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Wight . Lois J. . The Wights, Volume II . 1977 . Gateway Press . 551.
  2. News: Goes to Michigan . 28 October 2024 . Toledo Blade . March 6, 1947.
  3. News: Carlton . Cy . Katzenmeyer Method Success on Links . 28 October 2024 . The Michigan Daily . April 2, 1950.
  4. News: Jayvees Open Cage Season Against Ypsi Five Saturday . 28 October 2024 . The Michigan Daily . December 10, 1947.
  5. News: Wichita Picks A.D. . 28 October 2024 . St. Petersburg Times . May 9, 1968.
  6. News: Brown . Phil . Announce departure of Etter, Katzenmeyer . 28 October 2024 . The Michigan Daily . May 9, 1968.
  7. News: Wichita States Names Ex-Warren Pilot Ben Wilson to Grid Post . 28 October 2024 . Youngstown Vindicator . February 6, 1969.
  8. News: Wichita Returns To Good Graces . 28 October 2024 . Lawrence Journal-World . July 29, 1969.
  9. News: WSU Drops Two Sports . 28 October 2024 . Lawrence Journal-World . May 16, 1970.
  10. News: 31 Killed In Fiery Crash Of Football Team Plane . 28 October 2024 . St. Petersburg Times . October 3, 1970.