| Joe Gembis | |
| Birth Date: | 29 September 1907 |
| Birth Place: | Vicksburg, Michigan, U.S. |
| Death Place: | Mayfield, Michigan, U.S. |
| Player Years1: | 1926–1929 |
| Player Team1: | Michigan |
| Player Years2: | 1930 |
| Player Team2: | Ironton Tanks |
| Player Positions: | Fullback, placekicker |
| Coach Years1: | 1931 |
| Coach Years2: | 1932–1945 |
| Coach Team2: | Wayne |
| Overall Record: | 42–51–8 (college) 6–4–1 (high school) |
| Awards: |
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Joseph George Gembis (September 29, 1907 – July 5, 1969), sometimes known by the nickname "Dynamite Joe", was an American football player and coach. He played college football at the University of Michigan from 1926 to 1929 and professional football for the Ironton Tanks in 1930. He later served as the head football coach at Wayne State University for 14 years, from 1932 to 1945.
Gembis was born in Vicksburg, Michigan, in 1907. He attended Vicksburg High School.
Gembis played college football at the University of Michigan from 1927 to 1929 as a fullback and placekicker.[1] Highlights of Gembis' playing career at Michigan included the following:
The Detroit Free Press in November 1929 noted: "Gembis' presence in the blue line up has been invaluable. His place kicking has been an indispensable factor in the Wolverine attack. Without the service of his productive toe, it is extremely doubtful if Michigan's record would be studded with any major victories."[1] Gembis received his bachelor of arts degree from Michigan in 1930.
In 1930, Gembis played semi-professional football as a fullback and placekicker for the Ironton Tanks in Ironton, Ohio.[7] [8] The Cincinnati Enquirer in November 1930 wrote: "Dynamite Joe Gembis, Tank fullback, is without a doubt the finest line-smasher to ever show at Redland Field."[9]
Gembis spent one year as a football coach at Chesapeake High School in Ohio. His 1931 Chesapeake team compiled a 6–4–1 record.[10]
In July 1932, he was hired as the head coach at College of the City of Detroit (later renamed Wayne University in 1934 and later Wayne State University).[11] He remained in that position for 14 years. His 1934 team compiled a 7–1 record, and from 1934 to 1937 his teams went 23–7. However, the program declined after 1937, winning only six games from 1941 to 1945.[12] He was fired in April 1946.[13] Gembis compiled a career record of 42 - 51 - 8 at Wayne State.
Gembis was married to Florence Ruby Smith in June 1934.[14] They had three children, Douglas (born March 1935),[15] Ann, and Charles (born March 1946). In his later years, Gembis continued to work as an associate professor of health and physical education at Wayne State. He also operated the Haza Witka Summer Camp in Mayfield, Michigan. He died from a heart attack at the camp in July 1969 at age 61.[16]
Gembis was posthumously inducted into the Wayne State University Hall of Fame in 1980.[17]