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Art Powell (coach)

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This article is about the college basketball coach. For the NFL and AFL wide receiver, see Art Powell (wide receiver).
Art Powell
Biographical details
Born(1884-05-14)May 14, 1884
Toronto, Ontario
DiedMarch 10, 1969(1969-03-10) (aged 84)
Kenmore, New York
Playing career
Football
1904–1905Syracuse
Basketball
1903–1907Syracuse
Position(s)Quarterback (football)
Center (basketball)
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1916–1921Buffalo
Basketball
1907–1912Rochester
1912–1913Indiana
1915–1943Buffalo
1944–1946Canisius
Head coaching record
Overall13–22–5 (football)
203–201 (basketball)

Arthur L. Powell (May 14, 1884 – March 10, 1969) was an American basketball and football player and coach.

Early life and playing career

Powell was born in Toronto, Ontario in 1884 and was brought to Buffalo, New York as an infant. As a teenager, Powell learned the game of basketball from the Buffalo Germans team. The Germans became the most-feared team in the country, playing against the best pro and amateur teams in the world, and winning with relative ease. In 1961, the Buffalo Germans basketball team was enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame.

After graduating from Masten Park High School in Buffalo, he starred in basketball, baseball and football at Syracuse University in the early 1900s graduating in 1907. Although he was five feet four inches tall, he jumped center for the Syracuse basketball team and was twice named captain. He weighed less than 140 pounds but was the Syracuse football quarterback for three years.

Coaching career

Powell began his basketball coaching career in 1907 at the University of Rochester. His 1909–10 Rochester basketball team finished with 16 wins and 2 losses and made a valid claim as the best Eastern college team.[1]

In 1912, Powell was recruited to Bloomington, Indiana, to serve as the head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team. He stayed just that one season (1912–13) finishing 5–11 and last in the Big Ten Conference.[2]

In 1915, Powell returned to Buffalo, and spent the next 27 years as the head coach of the Buffalo Bisons men's basketball program, from 1915 to 1943.[3] He also coached the Buffalo Bisons football team from 1916 to 1921. As the basketball coach at Buffalo, Powell had a 198–190 record in 28 seasons, including 28 straight wins and a 45–5 record over three seasons (1929–1932), with triumphs over Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Syracuse and Yale. Powell's 1930–31 team was 15–0, the best mark in Buffalo basketball history.[4]

When the University of Buffalo suspended intercollegiate athletics in 1943 for the duration of World War II, Powell left and coached basketball at Canisius College for two seasons (1944–45 and 1945–46).[5] His top achievement with the Canisius Golden Griffins was a victory over Nat Holman's CCNY team.

Later years

When his career ended, Powell had coach men's basketball for 38+ seasons at the University of Rochester, Indiana University, University of Buffalo and Canisius College. He died in Kenmore, NY at the age of 85 in 1969.[6] In 1984, he was inducted into the University at Buffalo Athletics Hall of Fame.

Head coaching record

Football

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Buffalo Bisons (Independent) (1916–1921)
1916 Buffalo 3–5–2
1917 Buffalo 4–4
1918 Buffalo 6–1
1919 Buffalo 0–5–1
1920 Buffalo 1–4
1921 Buffalo 2–3–2
Buffalo: 13–22–5
Total: 13–22–5

Basketball

Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Indiana Hoosiers (Big Ten Conference) (1912–1913)
1912–13 Indiana 5–11 0–10 9th
Indiana: 5–11 (.313) 0–10
Buffalo Bisons (Independent) (1915–1943)
1915–16 Buffalo 7–4
1916–17 Buffalo 6–8
1917–18 Buffalo 6–2
1918–19 Buffalo 8–5
1919–20 Buffalo 9–1
1920–21 Buffalo 12–6
1921–22 Buffalo 5–7
1922–23 Buffalo 7–5
1923–24 Buffalo 7–6
1924–25 Buffalo 7–6
1925–26 Buffalo 11–6
1926–27 Buffalo 11–4
1927–28 Buffalo 8–8
1928–29 Buffalo 7–11
1929–30 Buffalo 15–1
1930–31 Buffalo 15–0
1931–32 Buffalo 15–4
1932–33 Buffalo 10–9
1933–34 Buffalo 5–10
1934–35 Buffalo 3–9
1935–36 Buffalo 0–13
1936–37 Buffalo 4–10
1937–38 Buffalo 4–9
1938–39 Buffalo 2–12
1939–40 Buffalo 1–10
1940–41 Buffalo 4–9
1941–42 Buffalo 2–8
1942–43 Buffalo 7–6
Buffalo: 198–190 (.510)
Total:

References

  1. ^ "Rochester Writer Puts in a Claim for Consideration of the Team in His City.," New York Evening Telegram – March 4, 1910.
  2. ^ "Indiana University Basketball Encyclopedia.," Jason Hiner and Dick Van Arsdale - November 30, 2004.
  3. ^ "1915-1916 Buffalo Basketball", University at Buffalo Sports History Collection - March 27, 2014.
  4. ^ "U.B. Quintet Is Only Undefeated Team In East", University of Buffalo Bee Newspaper - March 13, 1931.
  5. ^ "Canisius Signs Buffalo Coach.," Union-Sun & Journal, Lockport, NY - March 4, 1944.
  6. ^ "Arthur L. Powell, Coached Basketball for 27 Years.," New York Times - March 11, 1969.
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