Dick Godlove

Richard Milan "Dick" Godlove (January 24, 1905 – September 15, 1985) was a college football coach, athletic director, and sports figure in the United States. His lifetime football coaching record was 104 wins, 55 losses, and 10 ties. In 1964, he was inducted into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame^[1] and served as the third president of the organization.^[2][3]

Coaching career

Ottawa

In January 1936, Godlove was named the 14th head football coach for the Ottawa University Braves located in Ottawa, Kansas^[4] and he held that position for seven seasons, from 1936 until 1942. His career coaching record at Ottawa was 37 wins, 13 losses, and 6 ties. This ranks him second at Ottawa in total wins and seventh at Ottawa in winning percentage (0.661).^[5]

The school honored him by inducting him into their athletic hall of fame in 1991.^[6]

Washburn

After Ottawa,^[7] Godlove was named the 25th head football coach for Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. He stayed at Washburn for thirteen seasons, from 1946 until 1958.^[8] His coaching record at Washburn was 67 wins, 42 losses, and 4 ties. As of completion of the 2006 season, this ranks him first^[9] at Washburn in terms of total wins and 11th at Washburn in terms of winning percentage.^[10]

During his first year at Washburn, Godlove (alongside Fran Welch of Emporia State) coached an "all-star" team made up of Kansas players that played a similar squad from Missouri^[11] in the "Mo-Kan Bowl" all-star exhibition game.^[12]

After coaching at Washburn, he remained as the school's Athletic Director while Ralph Brown took over the coaching duties.^[13]

He died at Topeka in 1985.^[14]

References