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1961 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season

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1961 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season
SportFootball
Number of teams6
ChampionAlbion
Football seasons
← 1960
1962 →
1961 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Albion $ 5 – 0 – 0 8 – 0 – 0
Olivet 4 – 1 – 0 8 – 1 – 0
Kalamazoo 3 – 2 – 0 4 – 4 – 0
Alma 2 – 3 – 0 2 – 6 – 0
Adrian 1 – 4 – 0 2 – 6 – 0
Hope 0 – 5 – 0 0 – 7 – 0
  • $ – Conference champion

The 1961 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season was the season of college football played by the six member schools of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) as part of the 1961 college football season. Albion compiled a perfect 8–0 record and was the MIAA champion for 1961.

Albion[edit]

1961 Albion Britons football
MIAA champion
ConferenceMichigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record8–0 (5–0 MIAA)
Head coach
CaptainDale Springer, Ray Hoag[1]
Home stadiumAlumni Field
Seasons
← 1960
1962 →
1961 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Albion $ 5 – 0 – 0 8 – 0 – 0
Olivet 4 – 1 – 0 8 – 1 – 0
Kalamazoo 3 – 2 – 0 4 – 4 – 0
Alma 2 – 3 – 0 2 – 6 – 0
Adrian 1 – 4 – 0 2 – 6 – 0
Hope 0 – 5 – 0 0 – 7 – 0
  • $ – Conference champion

The 1961 Albion Britons football team epresented Albion College of Albion, Michigan. In their eighth season under head coach Morley Fraser, the Britons compiled a perfect 8–0 record (5–0 against MIAA members), won the MIAA championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 186 to 56.[2][3] It was Albion's first perfect season since 1928.[4]

The team was inducted into Albion's Ahletic Hall of Fame in 1991. Nine coaches or players from the team have also been inducted as individuals: Morley Fraser; Darwin Christiansen; Frank Gould; Ray Hag; Ken Neal; Robert Porritt; Fritz Shurmur; Joe Shurmur; and Dale Springer.[3]

The team's individual statistical leaders included fullback J.B. Elzy with 752 rushing yards, quarterback Frank Gould with 604 passing yards and 818 yards of total offense, and end Gary Methner with 49 pass receptions for 604 yards.[2]

Junior Joe Shurmur was named to the 1961 MIAA all-conference team on both offense (guard) and defense (linebacker);[5] he was also voted as the team's most valuable player.[1] Albion took nine of the 22 spots on the 1961 all-conference team. In addition to Shurmur, Albion's other honorees were quarterback Frank Gould; running backs J.B. Elzy and Ray Hoag; end Gary Menther; defensive tackle Terry Menther; defensive guard Milt Moore; and defensive halfback Bob Porritt.[5]

The team played its home games at Alumni Field in Albion, Michigan.

Schedule[edit]

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 16Eastern Michigan*
W 13–01,500-4,000[6]
September 30Kalamazoo
  • Alumni Field
  • Albion, MI
W 15–02,000-3,820[7]
October 7at Hope
W 26–144,500-4,850[8]
October 14Anderson (IL)*
  • Alumni Field
  • Albion, MI
W 35–61,100[9]
October 21Olivetdagger
  • Alumni Field
  • Albion, MI
W 13–06,000[10]
October 28at Ferris Institute*Big Rapids, MIW 28–62,700[11]
November 4at AlmaAlma, MIW 27–124,030[12]
November 11at AdrianAdrian, MIW 35–174,285[4]
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming

[2]

Roster[edit]

The following 37 players received block "A" varsity letters for their participation on the 1961 Albion football team:[1]

  1. Dom Adamson - junior, Grand Rapids, Michigan
  2. Dave Barrett - sophomore, Grand Rapids, Michigan
  3. Bruce Blakeman - junior, Paw Paw, Michigan
  4. Jesse Bommarito - sophomore, Albion, Michigan
  5. Jerry Chandler - freshman, Dearborn, Michigan
  6. Dar Christiansen - junior, Flushing, Michigan
  7. Monte Clute - senior, Rochester, Michigan
  8. Dick Dana - freshman, Williamston, Michigan
  9. Roger Dunn - sophomore, Flint, Michigan
  10. Keith Galloway - freshman, Grosse Ile, Michigan
  11. Frank Gould - junior, St. Charles, Michigan
  12. George Eisener - junior, Jonesville, Michigan
  13. J.B. Elzy - sophomore, Flint, Michigan
  14. Bob Gardner - freshman, Wayne, Michigan
  15. Ray Hoag - senior, Lowell, Michigan
  16. Mike Hornus - sophomore, Owosso, Michigan
  17. Les Knickerbacker - sophomore, Flint, Michigan
  18. Jim Livingston - freshman, Flint, Michigan
  19. Tom Lutz - junior, Wyandotte, Michigan
  20. Jim Madill - junior, Midland, Michigan
  21. Bruce Martens - junior, Vicksburg, Michigan
  22. Gary Methner - senior, Midland, Michigan
  23. Terry Methner - sophomore, Midland, Michigan
  24. Milton Moore - senior, Chicago
  25. Ken Neal - freshman, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
  26. Jim Osgood - sophomore, Mount Pleasant, Michigan
  27. Bob Porritt - sophomore, Clarkston, Michigan
  28. Steve Richards - sophomore, South Lake, Michigan
  29. Mike Shafer - freshman, Findlay, Ohio
  30. Bob Smith - senior, Grosse Ile, Michigan
  31. Jon Rise - senior, Pontiac, Michigan
  32. Tom Sagendorf - senior, Grand Rapids, Michigan
  33. Joe Shurmur - junior, Wyandotte, Michigan
  34. Dale Springer - senior, co-captain, Lansing, Michigan
  35. John Ulmanis - freshman, Midland, Michigan
  36. Russ Wallis - freshman, Durand, Michigan
  37. Phil Willis - junior, Grass Lake, Michigan

Varsity letters were also presented to team managers Fred Clawson, John Gorton, and Richard Yeager.[1]

Olivet[edit]

1961 Olivet Comets football
ConferenceMichigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record8–1 (4–1 MIAA)
Head coach
Seasons
← 1960
1962 →

The 1961 Olivet Comets football team represented Olivet College of Olivet, Michigan. In their third year under head coach Stuart Parsell, the Comets compiled an 8–1 record (4–1 against MIAA opponents), finished in second place in the MIAA, and outscored opponents by a total of 163 to 69.[13]

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 16at Franklin*Franklin, INW 27–7
Seprember 23Indiana Central*Olivet, MIW 22–6
September 30AdrianOlivet, MIW 9–0
October 7at KalamazooKalmazoo, MIW 13–6
October 14HopeOlivet, MIW 20–8
October 21at AlbionAlbion, MIL 0–13
October 28Illinois College*Olivet, MIW 40–20
November 4at Ohio Northern*Ada, OHW 6–3
November 11at AlmaAlma, MIW 26–6
  • *Non-conference game

Kalamazoo[edit]

1961 Kalamazoo Hornets football
ConferenceMichigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record4–4 (3–2 MIAA)
Head coach
Home stadiumAngell Field
Seasons
← 1960
1962 →

The 1961 Kalamazoo Hornets football team represented Kalamazoo College of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Led by head coach Bob Nulf, the Hornets compiled a perfect 4–4 record (3–2 against MIAA opponents) and finished third in the conference.[14]

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 23at Ohio Wesleyan*Delaware, OHL 6–32
September 30at AlbionAlbion, MIL 0–14
October 7OlivetKalamazoo, MIL 6–13
October 14at Carthage*Carthage, ILL 6–33
October 21AlmaKalamazoo, MIW 30–24
October 28at AdrianAdrian, MIW 26–7
November 4Hiram*Kalamazoo, MIW 28–6
November 11HopeKalamazoo, MIW 42–12
  • *Non-conference game

Alma[edit]

1961 Alma Scots football
ConferenceMichigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record2–6 (2–3 MIAA)
Head coach
Seasons
← 1960
1962 →

The 1961 Alma Scots football team represented Alma College of Alma, Michigan. In their sixth year under head coach Art Smith, the Scots compiled a 2–6 record (2–3 against MIAA opponents) and finished in fourth place in the MIAA.[15]

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 16Ohio Northern*Alma, MIL 7–8
September 23at Bluffton*Bluffton, OHL 0–14
September 30Wittenberg*Alma, MIL 0–43
October 14AdrianAlma, MIW 8–7
October 21at KalamazooKalamazoo, MIL 24–30
October 28HopeAlma, MIW 14–10
November 4at AlbionAlbion, MIL 12–21
November 11OlivetAlma, MIL 6–26
  • *Non-conference game

Adrian[edit]

196` Adrian Bulldogs football
ConferenceMichigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record2–6 (1–4 MIAA)
Head coach
Seasons

The 1961 Adrian Bulldogs football team represented Adrian College of Adrian, Michigan. In their third and final year under head coach Les Leggett, the Bulldogs compiled a 2–6 record (1–4 against MIAA opponents) and finished in fifth place in the MIAA.[16]

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 16at Findlay*Findlay, OHL 8–20\
September 23Defiance*Adrian, MIW 7–0
September 30at OlivetOlivet, MIL 0–9
October 14at AlmaAlma, MIL 7–8
October 21at Ferris StateBig Rapids, MIL 0–24
October 28KalamazooAdrian, MIL 7–26
November 4at HopeHolland, MIW 25–14
November 11AlbionAdrian, MIL 17–35
  • *Non-conference game

Hope[edit]

1961 Hope Flying Dutchmen football
ConferenceMichigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record0–7 (0–5 MIAA)
Head coach
Seasons
← 1960
1962 →

The 1961 Hope Flying Dutchmen football team represented Hope College of Hope, Michigan. In their seventh year under head coach Russ DeVette, the Dutchmen compiled a 0–7 record (0–5 against MIAA opponents) and finished in last place in the MIAA.

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 23Valparaiso*
  • Boucher Bowl
  • Valparaiso, IN
L 6–14
September 30Wheaton*
  • Riverview Park
  • Holland, MI
L 0–20
October 7Albion
  • Riverview Park
  • Holland, MI
L 14–26
October 14vs. OlivetCharlotte, MIL 8–201,500
October 28at AlmaAlma, MIL 0–14
November 4AdrianHolland, MIL 14–25
November 11at KalamazooKalamazoo, MIL 12–42
  • *Non-conference game

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d "Joe Shurmur Named Most Valuable Briton". The Battle Creek Enquirer and News. November 17, 1961. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ a b c "Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (Albion 1961)". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Albion's '61 MIAA title team to celebrate reunion". Mlive.com. September 6, 2012.
  4. ^ a b "Albion Wraps Up Perfect Season". The Battle Creek Enquirer and News. November 12, 1961. p. IV-1 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b "MIAA Team Is Dominated By Albion". The Herald-Palladium. November 16, 1961. p. II-3 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Albion Wins, 13-0: Elzy Paces Grid Opener; Britons Victorious Before 1,500 Fans". The Battle Creek Enquirer and News. September 17, 1961. p. IV-2 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Olivet, Albion Win MIAA Grid Battles". The Battle Creek Enquirer and News. October 1, 1961. p. IV-1 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Strong 2nd Half Gives Albion Win Over Hope: Britons Score 26-14 Victory Over Dutch". The Holland Sentinel. October 9, 1961. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Albion, Mich. Eleven Hands Anderson 1st Setback In Four Starts, 35-6". Anderson Herald. October 15, 1961. p. 22 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Albion Knocks Off Olivet in MIAA Showdown, 13-0: 6,000 Watch Grid Thriller". The Battle Creek Enquirer and News. October 22, 1961. p. IV-2 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Albion '11' Runs Over Ferris, 28-6". The Battle Creek Enquirer and News. October 29, 1961. p. IV-2 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Albion Whips Alma, 21-12, For 7th Straight Victory". The Battle Creek Enquirer and News. November 5, 1961. p. IV-2 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Olivet (MI) Records by Year". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  14. ^ "Kalamazoo Yearly Results". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  15. ^ "Alma Yearly Results". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  16. ^ "Adrian Yearly Results". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
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