Albert Harold "Abe" Poffenroth (November 26, 1917 – May 1, 1997)[1] was an American football and baseball coach. He served as the head football coach at Eastern Washington College of Education—now known as Eastern Washington University from 1947 to 1952 and Central Washington College of Education—now known as Central Washington University—from 1955 to 1960.[2] Poffenroth was also the head baseball coach at Eastern Washington from 1950 to 1953, tallying a mark of 41–54.

Abe Poffenroth
Biographical details
Born(1917-11-26)November 26, 1917
DiedMay 1, 1997(1997-05-01) (aged 79)
Spokane, Washington, U.S.
Playing career
Football
1936–1939Eastern Washington
1942Second Air Force
1943Pocatello AAB
Position(s)Halfback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1943Pocatello AAB
1946Eastern Washington (backfield)
1947–1952Eastern Washington
1955–1960Central Washington
Baseball
1950–1953Eastern Washington
Head coaching record
Overall58–43–3 (football)
41–54 (baseball)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
Football
6 WIC/Evergreen (1947–1950, 1957–1958)

Poffenroth attended John R. Rogers High School in Spokane, Washington. He was a four-year letter winner in football as a running back at Eastern Washington, from 1936 to 1939. After graduating from Eastern Washington in 1940, Poffenroth was a teacher and assistant football coach in Vancouver, Washington. In 1942, he joined the United States Army Air Forces and was assigned to the Second Air Force. He played on the 1942 Second Air Force Bombers football team. After completing Officer Candidate School, Poffenroth was assigned to Pocatello Army Air Base. He was the head coach and a player for the 1943 Pocatello Army Air Base Bombardiers football team.[3]

Poffenroth return to his alma mater, Eastern Washington, in 1946, when he was hired as head baseball coach, backfield coach for the football team, and junior varsity basketball coach.[4] The following year, he succeeded Red Reese as head football coach.[5]

Poffenroth died on May 1, 1997, at his home in Spokane.[6]

Head coaching record

edit

Football

edit
Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Pocatello Army Air Base Bombardiers (Independent) (1943)
1943 Pocatello AAB 0–3
Pocatello AAB: 0–3
Eastern Washington Savages (Washington Intercollegiate Conference / Evergreen Conference) (1947–1952)
1947 Eastern Washington 6–1–1 4–0–1 T–1st
1948 Eastern Washington 8–1 5–1 T–1st
1949 Eastern Washington 7–2 5–1 T–1st
1950 Eastern Washington 8–2 5–1 1st
1951 Eastern Washington 2–6 1–4 T–4th
1952 Eastern Washington 1–7 1–5 6th
Eastern Washington: 32–19–1 21–12–1
Central Washington Wildcats (Evergreen Conference) (1955–1960)
1955 Central Washington 2–6 2–4 5th
1956 Central Washington 3–4–1 2–3–1 5th
1957 Central Washington 7–1 6–0 1st
1958 Central Washington 6–1–1 4–1 T–1st
1959 Central Washington 3–5 3–2 3rd
1960 Central Washington 4–4 4–2 2nd
Central Washington: 26–21–2 21–12–1
Total: 58–43–3
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

References

edit
  1. ^ "Albert H Poffenroth". Fold3. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
  2. ^ "Abe Poffenroth". Central Washington Wildcats. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  3. ^ Rowe, Dave (November 10, 1943). "Eagles Off For Pocatello". Deseret News. Salt Lake City, Utah. p. 10. Retrieved April 24, 2023 – via Newspapers.com  .
  4. ^ "Abe Poffenroth Signs At E. W. C." Spokane Daily Chronicle. Spokane, Washington. August 19, 1946. p. 13. Retrieved April 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com  .
  5. ^ "Poffenroth Appointed Football Coach at Eastern Washington College". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. June 8, 1947. p. 1, part 2. Retrieved April 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com  .
  6. ^ "Poffenroth, Noted Rogers Alum, Eastern Coach Dies". The Spokesman-Review. May 3, 1997. Retrieved December 6, 2018.