Adolph F. Bechdolt
Bechdolt, 1885
Biographical details
Born(1846-11-16)November 16, 1846
Reutlingen, Kingdom of Württemberg
DiedJune 6, 1938(1938-06-06) (aged 91)
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, U.S.
Alma materLafayette College
Franklin & Marshall College
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1894North Dakota
Head coaching record
Overall2–2

Adolph Frederick Bechdolt (November 16, 1846 – May 6, 1938) was a Kingdom of Württemberg-born American college football coach and educator. He was the first football coach for the University of North Dakota, serving for one season, in 1894, and compiling a record of 2–2.[1] Bechdolt was also a professor of English at the university from 1892 to 1895.[2][3]

Born in the Kingdom of Württemberg, Bechdolt moved at the age of six with his family to Pennsylvania.[4] He attended Lafayette College, from which he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1866 and a Master of Arts degree in 1869. He received a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Franklin & Marshall College in 1890.[5][6]

Bechdolt began teaching in 1869 at Mercersburg Academy—now known as Mercersburg College—in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania. He was a professor of chemistry and German there until 1876. From 1876 to 1880 and again from 1885 to 1892, Bocholt served as superintendent of city schools in Mankato, Minnesota. In the interim, from 1880 to 1885, he was a professor of chemistry at Mankato Normal School—now known as Minnesota State University, Mankato. In 1895, Bechdolt became a professor of English language and literature at the University of Washington.[5] Bechdolt was appointed the superintendent of schools in Eugene, Oregon in 1901.[7] He then taught at Whatcom High School in Bellingham, Washington for 19 years, serving successively at head of the school's English, foreign language, and history departments before resigning in 1923.

Bechdolt was the father of two well-known writers, Frederick R. Bechdolt (1874–1950) and Jack Bechdolt (1884–1954).[8] He died suddenly, on May 6, 1938, in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California.[9]

Head coaching record

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
North Dakota Flickertails (Independent) (1894)
1894 North Dakota 2–2
North Dakota: 2–2
Total: 2–2

References

  1. ^ "2022 North Dakota Football Media Guide" (PDF). University of North Dakota. p. 127. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  2. ^ University of North Dakota (1922). The Quarterly Journal - University of North Dakota. Vol. 13. The University. Retrieved February 4, 2015.
  3. ^ "Full text of "Biographical catalogue of Lafayette college, 1832-1912"". Retrieved February 4, 2015.
  4. ^ "Dr. Bechdolt Dies At Age Of 91". The Bellingham Herald. Bellingham, Washington. May 9, 1938. p. 5. Retrieved March 26, 2023 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  5. ^ a b "Catalogue for 1898–99 and Announcements for 1899–1900 of the University of Washington" (PDF). 1899. p. 10. Retrieved February 4, 2015.
  6. ^ "Dr. Bechdolt will attend reunion". The Bellingham Herald. Bellingham, Washington. May 24, 1916. p. 7. Retrieved March 19, 2023 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  7. ^ "Prof. A. F. Bechdolt". Daily Eugene Guard. Eugene, Oregon. July 13, 1901. p. 1. Retrieved March 26, 2023 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  8. ^ "Pioneer Educator Resigns After Nineteen Years of Service at Whatcom High School". The Bellingham Herald. Bellingham, Washington. May 3, 1923. p. 1. Retrieved March 26, 2023 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  9. ^ "Deaths of the day". The Scranton Times. Scranton, Pennsylvania. May 7, 1938. p. 2. Retrieved March 19, 2023 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.

External links

North Dakota Fighting Hawks head football coaches
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