William C. Barclay was an American athlete and coach who played football, basketball, and golf at the University of Michigan and was the head coach of the Harvard Crimson men's basketball team.
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | Flint, Michigan, U.S. |
| Died | September 1, 2001 (aged 85) Topsfield, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| 1935–1938 | Michigan (football, basketball, golf) |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| Basketball | |
| 1939–1940 | Davison HS (MI) |
| 1940–1942 | Cadillac HS (MI) |
| 1942–1946 | Michigan (Asst.) |
| 1946–1949 | Harvard |
| Football | |
| 1939 | Davison HS (MI) |
| 1940–1941 | Cadillac HS (MI) |
| 1942–1945 | Michigan (Asst.) |
| Golf | |
| 1945–1946 | Michigan |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 24–49 |
Early life
editBarclay was born and raised in Flint, Michigan. In 1933, he led Flint Northern High School to the Michigan Class A Championship.[1] In 1934, he enrolled in the University of Michigan, where he earned varsity leaders in football (1935–37), basketball (1936–38), and golf (1936–38).[2] On October 30, 1937, he intercepted a pass to set up Michigan's only touchdown in their 7–6 victory over the Illinois Fighting Illini.[3] He won the 1939 Michigan Amateur Golf Championship.[4]
Coaching
editIn 1939, Barclay began his coaching career at Davison High School. In 1942, he returned to his alma mater as assistant varsity basketball coach and freshman football coach.[4] In 1945, he became head coach of the Wolverines golf team.[5]
On October 21, 1946, Barclay was named head basketball coach at Harvard.[4] Led by Saul Mariaschin, the Crimson compiled a 16-9 record in 1946-47. However, Harvard went 8–40 over the next two seasons and Barclay's contract was not renewed when it expired in July 1949.[6][7][8] Barclay scouted for the Harvard Crimson football team after his former Michigan teammate Arthur Valpey became head coach in 1948.[6]
Golf
editIn 1940, Barclay became the golf pro at the Cadillac County Club in Cadillac, Michigan. While coaching at Michigan, he managed and was the professional for the school's golf course.[9] From 1948 to 1980, Barclay was the golf pro at Salem Country Club in Peabody, Massachusetts. He made it to the final round of the 1959 New England PGA Championship, but lost to Bob Crowley. He was named NEPGA professional of the year in 1978 and 1999 and was elected to the organization's hall of fame in 1999.[1]
Death
editBarclay died on September 1, 2001 at his home in Topsfield, Massachusetts. He was 85 years old.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c "William C. Barclay, at 85; golf pro, coached at Harvard". The Boston Globe. September 2, 2001. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ "New Coaches At Harvard". The New York Times. October 21, 1946.
- ^ "Michigan Tops Illinois, Kick Deciding Game Between Foes Fifth Year in Row". The New York Times. October 31, 1937.
- ^ a b c "Name Samborski And Barclay for Coach Vacancies". The Harvard Crimson. October 21, 1946. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ Donnelly, Walter, ed. (1956). The University of Michigan, an Encyclopedic Survey. University of Michigan Press. p. 1978. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Barclay Ousted as Coach". The Harvard Crimson. April 1, 1949. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ "William Barclay". SRCBB. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ "Barclay Out as Harvard Coach". The Boston Globe. April 1, 1949.
- ^ "Harvard Coach Barclay Named Salem C. C. Pro". The Boston Globe. December 21, 1947.