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Detroit Titans football

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University of Detroit team, 1896 to 1964
Detroit Titans football
First season1896; 128 years ago
Last season1964; 60 years ago
StadiumUniversity of Detroit Stadium
(capacity: 20,000)
LocationDetroit, Michigan, U.S.
All-time record308–204–24 (.597)
Claimed national titles1 (1928)
ColorsRed, white, and blue
     

The Detroit Titans were the college football team which represented the University of Detroit (now University of Detroit Mercy) from 1896 to 1964. The team posted an undefeated season in 1928, staking a claim to a national title. The program was terminated in 1964 for financial reasons.

History

Under head coach Gus Dorais in 1928, the Titans won all nine of their games. Several years later Parke H. Davis, considered to be a "major selector" by the NCAA, named the 1928 team to a share of the national championship.

From 1922 on, the Titans played their home games at University of Detroit Stadium (also known as U of D Stadium, Titan Stadium, and Dinan Field) near McNichols Road (Six Mile Road) and Fairfield Street on the university's McNichols campus.

The football program had incurred large losses since 1951, and was discontinued after the 1964 season. At the time of the sport's termination, university president Rev. Laurence V. Britt stated that the institution "does not currently have and does not foresee any prospects of its having the substantial funds" required to continue the program.

Conference affiliations

Detroit was both independent and affiliated with the Missouri Valley Conference.

Championships

National championships

Detroit won its only national championship in 1928, with Parke H. Davis selecting both Detroit and Georgia Tech. The school claims this championship.

Year Selectors Coach Record
1928 Parke H. Davis Gus Dorais 9–0

Head coaches

Main article: List of Detroit Titans head football coaches
Head Coach Years Seasons Record Pct.
William S. Robinson 1896–1899 4 13–5–1 .700
John C. Mackey 1900–1901 2 6–6–0 .500
Edward J. Ryan 1902, 1906 2 7–5–1 .577
Alfred W. Debo 1903–1904 2 6–6–0 .500
George A. Kelly 1907, 1909–1910 3 7–5–2 .571
Royal R. Campbell 1911–1912 2 8–6–1 .567
George M. Lawton 1913–1914 2 6–6–3 .500
Harry Costello 1915–1916 2 4–7–2 .385
James F. Duffy 1917, 1919–1922, 1924 6 43–12–1 .777
Germany Schulz 1923 1 4–3–2 .556
Gus Dorais 1925–1942 18 113–48–7 .693
Chuck Baer 1945–1950 6 35–21–1 .623
Dutch Clark 1951–1953 3 13–17–0 .433
Wally Fromhart 1954–1958 5 19–25–2 .435
Jim Miller 1959–1961 3 18–10–0 .643
John Idzik 1962–1964 3 6–21–1 .232

Notable personnel

Name Position Years Notes
Grady Alderman Lineman 1950s Played in NFL, 1960-1974
Sig Andrusking Guard 1930s Played in NFL in 1937
Vince Banonis Center 1939-1941 Inducted into College Football Hall of Fame
Dan Boisture End 1947-1948 Head coach at Eastern Michigan, 1967-1973
Lloyd Brazil Halfback 1927-1929 All-American; inducted into Michigan Sports Hall of Fame
Walt Cassidy End 1920s Played in NFL, 1924
Walt Clago End Played in NFL, 1921-1922
Bill Dando Halfback 1956-1968 Head coach at Buffalo, 1977-1979
Andy Farkas Fullback 1930s Played for Washington Redskins, 1938-1944
Norm Harvey Tackle 1920s Played in NFL, 1925-1929
Harvey Long Lineman 1920s Played in NFL, 1929-1930
Elmer Madarik Halfback 1940s Played for Detroit Lions 1945-1948
Ted Marchibroda Quarterback 1950s Played and coached in the NFL for over 40 years, 1953-1998
Doug Nott Halfback 1930s Played for Detroit Lions in 1935
Bill O'Neill Halfback 1930s Played for Detroit Lions in 1935 and Cleveland Rams in 1937
Lee Riley Defensive back 1950s Played in NFL and AFL, 1955-1962
Sod Ryan Tackle 1920s Played in NFL from 1929 to 1930
Jim Shorter Defensive back 1960s Played in NFL, 1948-1956
Jack Simmons Lineman 1940s Played in NFL, 1962-1969
Steve Stonebreaker Linebacker 1960s Played in NFL, 1962-1968
Tillie Voss End 1920s Played in NFL, 1921-1929

Players in the NFL Draft

Main article: List of Detroit Titans in the NFL draft

References

  1. "University of Detroit Mercy Brand Standards Guide" (PDF). September 15, 2016. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
  2. 2011 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records (PDF). Indianapolis, IN: The National Collegiate Athletic Association. August 2011. pp. 70–75. Retrieved 2011-10-17.
  3. "Students yip as Detroit drops grid". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. December 1, 1964. p. 10.
  4. "Detroit kicks out football, students stage big protest". Pittsburgh Press. UPI. December 1, 1964. p. 41.
  5. Berry, Jack (1964-12-01). "U-D Football Finally Dies of Neglect". The Detroit Free Press. p. 1-D.
  6. "Detroit Mercy Titans Football Record By Year". College Football at Sports-Reference.com.
  7. 2018 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records (PDF). National Collegiate Athletic Association. August 2018. p. 111. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
  8. "2013 Will Be A Season To Remember In Motown". University of Detroit Mercy Athletics.
  9. "Remembering the 1953 Missouri Valley Conference Champion Detroit Titans". University of Detroit Mercy Athletics.

External links

Detroit Titans football
Venues
People
Seasons
National championship seasons in bold
University of Detroit Mercy
Located in: Detroit, Michigan
Academics
Athletics
People
  • Founded: 1877
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