Al Renfrew facts for kids
Al Renfrew, 1949
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| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 21, 1924 Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Died | November 10, 2014 (aged 89) Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA |
| Alma mater | University of Michigan |
| Playing career | |
| 1945–1949 | Michigan |
| 1949–1950 | Detroit Auto Club |
| Position(s) | Wing |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1951–1956 | Michigan Tech |
| 1956–1957 | North Dakota |
| 1957–1973 | Michigan |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 288–286–13 (.502) |
| Tournaments | 4–2 (.667) |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| 1961 Big Ten Champion 1962 Big Ten Champion 1964 Big Ten Champion 1964 WCHA regular season champion 1964 NCAA National Champion 1968 Big Ten Champion 1969 Big Ten Champion |
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| Awards | |
| 1986 University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor 1990 Hobey Baker Legends of College Hockey Award 1992 John "Snooks" Kelley Founders Award |
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Allan McNab Renfrew (born December 21, 1924 – died November 10, 2014) was a famous hockey player and coach. He played as a left wing for the University of Michigan in the late 1940s. After playing, he became a college hockey coach. He coached at Michigan Technological University (1951–1956), the University of North Dakota (1956–1957), and then his old team, the University of Michigan (1957–1973). Renfrew had an amazing career. He won national championships both as a player and as a coach! In 1986, he was honored by being added to the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor.
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Playing College Hockey
Al Renfrew was born in Toronto, Canada. He came to the University of Michigan in 1945 to play hockey. He played for the Michigan hockey team for four years. In his final year, he was chosen as the team captain.
When he was a freshman in 1946, he scored two goals in just seven seconds during a game against Michigan Tech. This was very impressive! In 1948, Renfrew led the Wolverines to win the first-ever NCAA hockey championship. He scored 25 goals that year, including four goals in one game against Minnesota. The Wolverines won the 1948 championship game against Dartmouth College with a score of 8-4.
During his time as a player, Renfrew scored 91 goals and had 172 points. The Wolverines team had a great record of 70 wins, 18 losses, and 6 ties while he was playing. He finished his playing career as the second-highest point scorer in Michigan hockey history. He graduated in 1950 and later married the sister of his coach, Vic Heyliger.
Coaching College Hockey
After finishing college, Renfrew became a hockey coach. He coached at Michigan Tech from 1951 to 1956. Then, he coached at North Dakota for one year. In May 1957, his former coach and brother-in-law, Vic Heyliger, retired from coaching Michigan's hockey team. Renfrew then took over the job.
As the coach for the Michigan Wolverines hockey team from 1957 to 1973, Renfrew led them to 223 wins, 206 losses, and 11 ties. He also guided them to a national championship in 1964. His 1964 team had an impressive record of 24 wins, 4 losses, and 1 tie. They won the NCAA title by beating Denver 6-3.
With this win, Al Renfrew made history. He became the first person ever to win an NCAA college hockey championship as a player and then later win another one as a coach! If you include his years coaching at Michigan Tech and North Dakota, his total coaching record was 288 wins, 286 losses, and 13 ties. When he retired from coaching in May 1973, his friends held a special dinner for him and gave him a trip to Hawaii. After coaching, Renfrew worked for many years as the manager of the ticket office at the University of Michigan.
The "M" Club Banner
Al Renfrew and his wife, Marguerite, are also known for starting a special tradition at Michigan Stadium. This tradition is the "M" Club banner. It started in 1962. Before football games, Michigan players run out of the tunnel and jump up to touch a banner that says "Go Blue: M Club Supports You." The marching band plays "The Victors" at the same time.
It's said that Renfrew asked his wife to make two flags to hang over the football locker rooms to cheer on the team. She made the flags with a neighbor. The famous Block M design was created by Bob Hoisington, an Engineering Dean, to make sure it was perfect. Making these flags by hand was a big job back then!
At first, members of the M Club hung the banners in the locker room. Later, they were moved to the tunnel and then to the stadium. After games, the flags would go back to the Renfrews' home. Over time, the flags were changed into the large banner we see today.
Awards and Honors
Al Renfrew received many awards for his contributions to hockey:
- In 1986, he was inducted into the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor. This is a very special award for athletes and coaches at the university.
- In 1990, he received the Hobey Baker Legends of College Hockey Award. This award is given to people who have made big contributions to college hockey.
- In 1992, he received the John "Snooks" Kelley Founders Award. This award honors coaches who have helped grow and develop ice hockey in the United States.
Friends of Al Renfrew even set up a special scholarship at Michigan for an ice hockey player. This scholarship helps pay for a player's room and board.
Al Renfrew passed away on November 10, 2014, in Michigan, at the age of 89.
See also
- University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor
