Franklin Burghardt facts for kids
Burghardt pictured in The Eagle 1940, NCC yearbook
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|
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 4, 1912 Greenfield, Illinois |
| Died | August 8, 1981 (aged 69) Rockville, Maryland |
| Playing career | |
| Football | |
| 1930–1934 | Eureka |
| Position(s) | Center |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| Football | |
| 1937–1941 | North Carolina College |
| Basketball | |
| 1937–1940 | North Carolina College |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 22–17–4 (football) 47–21 (basketball) |
William Franklin "Burgie" Burghardt (born February 4, 1912 – died August 8, 1981) was an important American sports figure. He was a talented athlete who played both American football and basketball. Later, he became a successful coach for these sports.
Early Life and Family Roots
William Franklin Burghardt grew up in a small town called Greenfield, Illinois. His father and grandfather both worked as barbers there. His family had a long history in America. They could trace their family tree back eight generations to an ancestor who fought in the American Revolution. William was also related to a very famous person, W. E. B. Du Bois, who was a writer and civil rights leader.
College Sports and Friendship
Burghardt went to Eureka College, where he was a star athlete. He played football and also competed in track and field. In his final year, he was even a co-captain of the football team.
At Eureka College, Burghardt played football with a future United States president, Ronald Reagan. Reagan was two years older than Burghardt. They shared an important experience in 1931. While on a road trip for a game, a hotel refused to let Burghardt and another Black player stay there.
Their coach was very upset by this unfair treatment. He decided that the entire team would sleep on the bus instead of staying at the hotel. Ronald Reagan was worried this might make the team play poorly. He thought it could also make the Black players feel bad.
So, Reagan suggested a different plan. He told the coach to say the hotel simply didn't have enough rooms. Then, Reagan paid for a taxi for Burghardt and his teammate. They went to Dixon, Illinois, to stay with Reagan's parents, Jack and Nelle Reagan. Reagan's parents welcomed them warmly into their home.
Years later, in 1986, President Reagan shared another story about Burghardt. He wrote in his autobiography about a player on an opposing team who was very unfair and played dirty. This player targeted Burghardt because of his race. Even though Burghardt was hurt, he refused to play dirty back. He amazed the other team with his strength and skill. After the game, the defeated player shook Burghardt's hand. He told Burghardt he was the greatest person he had ever met. President Reagan shared this same story again on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1986. Burghardt and Reagan remained friends for many decades.
Coaching Career and Achievements
After his time as a player, Burghardt became a coach. He was the seventh head football coach at the North Carolina College for Negroes. Today, this school is known as North Carolina Central University in Durham, North Carolina. He coached their football team for five seasons, from 1937 to 1941. During this time, his team had a record of 22 wins, 17 losses, and 4 ties.
Burghardt also coached the men's basketball team at North Carolina Central. He led the basketball team from 1937 to 1940. His basketball coaching record was 47 wins and 21 losses.
Later in his life, Burghardt earned a PhD degree. He also wrote articles about health and physical education. In 1971, his achievements were recognized when he was inducted into the Eureka College Athletic Hall of Fame.
