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Albert C. Katzenmeyer (July 11, 1918 – October 2, 1970) was an American coach and administrator who was the men's golf coach at the University of Michigan from 1947 to 1968 and the Wichita State University athletic director from 1968 to 1970. He was one of 31 fatalities in the Wichita State University football team plane crash.

Golfing

Katzenmeyer was born in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania on July 11, 1918 to John and Elizabeth (Swartz) Katzenmeyer. He played golf at Ann Arbor High School and Alma College and captained his college team to an Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship. After graduating, he spent three years in the United States Air Force and was the assistant golf coach at Ohio State University in 1946. In 1947, Katzenmeyer became the head golf coach at the University of Michigan. He coached the Wolverines to Big Ten Conference championships in 1947, 1949, and 1952. One of his golfers, Dave Barclay, won the 1947 NCAA golf championship. Katzenmeyer was also the coach of Michigan's junior varsity men's basketball team (1947–48) and an administrative assistant to athletic director Fielding H. Yost (1962–68).

Wichita State University

On May 8, 1968, Katzenmeyer was named athletic director at Wichita State University. He took over a program that had recently been placed on probation by the National Collegiate Athletic Association for recruiting violations by coach football Boyd Converse and athletic director Noah G. Allen. During the 1968 Wichita State Shockers football team, feuded with head coach Eddie Kriwiel. The Shockers went winless that year and Kriwiel resigned at the end of the season. Katzenmeyer replaced him with Virginia assistant Ben Wilson. On July 28, 1969, the school had its television and bowl game ban lifted by the NCAA "due largely to efficient and practical reorganization of university policies and procedures. In 1970, the school dropped its baseball and gymnastic programs due to budgetary issues.

On October 2, 1970, a plane transporting the Wichita State football team to a game at Utah State lost power, crashed, and burned in the Rocky Mountains near Silver Plume, Colorado. Katzenmeyer and his wife were among the 31 persons killed in the crash.

References

1. Wight, Lois J. (1977). The Wights, Volume II. Gateway Press. p. 551.
2. ^ Carlton, Cy (April 2, 1950). "Katzenmeyer Method Success on Links". The Michigan Daily. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
3. ^ Brown, Phil (May 9, 1968). "Announce departure of Etter, Katzenmeyer". The Michigan Daily. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
4. "Goes to Michigan". Toledo Blade. March 6, 1947. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
5. "Jayvees Open Cage Season Against Ypsi Five Saturday". The Michigan Daily. December 10, 1947. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
6. "Wichita Picks A.D." St. Petersburg Times. May 9, 1968. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
7. ^ "Wichita States Names Ex-Warren Pilot Ben Wilson to Grid Post". Youngstown Vindicator. February 6, 1969. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
8. "Wichita Returns To Good Graces". Lawrence Journal-World. July 29, 1969. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
9. "WSU Drops Two Sports". Lawrence Journal-World. May 16, 1970. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
10. "31 Killed In Fiery Crash Of Football Team Plane". St. Petersburg Times. October 3, 1970. Retrieved 28 October 2024.

• 1918 births
• 1970 deaths
• Accidental deaths in Colorado
• Alma College alumni
• Michigan Wolverines men's golf coaches
• People from Ellwood City, Pennsylvania
• Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in the United States
• Wichita State Shockers athletic directors
• Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in 1970