Robert Zuppke facts for kids
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Zuppke at Illinois, c. 1922
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| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 2, 1879 Berlin, Germany |
| Died | December 22, 1957 (aged 78) Champaign, Illinois |
| Playing career | |
| Football | |
| c. 1900 | Milwaukee Normal |
| Basketball | |
| 1903–1905 | Wisconsin |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| Football | |
| 1906–1909 | Hackley Manual Training (MI) |
| 1910–1912 | Oak Park and River Forest HS (IL) |
| 1913–1941 | Illinois |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 131–81–12 (college) |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| 4 National (1914, 1919, 1923, 1927) 7 Western / Big Ten (1914–1915, 1918–1919, 1923, 1927–1928) |
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| Awards | |
| Amos Alonzo Stagg Award (1948) | |
| College Football Hall of Fame Inducted in 1951 (profile) |
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Robert Carl Zuppke (born July 2, 1879 – died December 22, 1957) was a famous American football coach. He led the team at the University of Illinois from 1913 to 1941. During his time, his teams won four national championships. These big wins happened in 1914, 1919, 1923, and 1927.
Zuppke's teams also won seven championships in the Big Ten Conference. He was so important to football that he was added to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951. One of the most famous players he coached was Red Grange, a college football superstar. The field at the University of Illinois's Memorial Stadium is even named Zuppke Field in his honor.
Zuppke is known for inventing many things in football. He is credited with creating the huddle, where players gather to discuss plays. He also helped popularize the flea flicker trick play. In 1914, he brought back the I formation, a common offensive setup.
Early Coaching Days
Before coaching at the University of Illinois, Zuppke coached high school football. He worked at Muskegon High School in Michigan. He also coached at Oak Park and River Forest High School in Illinois. At Oak Park, he coached future football legend George Trafton. He also coached Harry Goelitz, who became an Olympic athlete. Zuppke led his high school teams to state championships in 1911 and 1912. He learned many coaching ideas from other great coaches, like Pop Warner.
More Than Just Football
Robert Zuppke was not only a football coach. He was also a talented writer and an amazing artist. From 1930 to 1948, Zuppke wrote a newspaper comic strip called Ned Brant. The drawings for the strip were done by Walt Depew. In the 1930s, Zuppke also wrote newspaper articles about sports.
As an artist, Zuppke was known for his beautiful paintings. He often painted rugged landscapes of the American Southwest. He believed that "Art and football are very much alike." His artwork was shown in several exhibits. One special show of only his paintings was held in Chicago in 1937.
Zuppke's Wise Words
Zuppke was famous for his wise and sometimes funny sayings. People called these sayings "Zuppkeisms." Here are some of his most well-known thoughts:
- Never give up hope; that is the biggest failure in life.
- The best athlete is someone who can think quickly while playing.
- Being respected by others gives you moral courage.
- A good football player should always stay on their feet and keep a clear head.
- People do their best work when they know they are being watched.
- Fans are loyal to a coach if the team wins all its games.
- Advice for new students: don't drink the liniment (a joke about rubbing alcohol).
Coaching Achievements
Zuppke had a very successful career as a college football coach. He coached for 29 seasons at the University of Illinois. His overall record was 131 wins, 81 losses, and 12 ties. This shows he won many more games than he lost. He helped shape college football with his new ideas and strategies.
