 Church cropped from 1897 Purdue team photo | |
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 17, 1874 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | March 28, 1966 (aged 91) Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Princeton University (1897) |
| Playing career | |
| 1896 | Princeton |
| 1898 | Duquesne Country and Athletic Club |
| 1900 | Homestead Library & Athletic Club |
| Position(s) | Tackle |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1897 | Purdue |
| 1899, 1901 | Georgetown |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 13–8–4 |
William Wells Church (December 17, 1874 – March 28, 1966) was an American football player and coach. A native of Chicago,[1] he played college football at Princeton University, where he was selected as an All-American at tackle in 1896.[2] He served as the head football coach at Purdue University for one season, in 1897, and at Georgetown University for two seasons, in 1899 and 1901, compiling a career college football record of 5–3–1. Church participated in early professional football: He played tackle for the Duquesne Country and Athletic Club in 1898[3] and the Homestead Library & Athletic Club in 1900, also coaching the latter team.[4] He married Mary Myrtle Brock in 1902.[5]
He later resided in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where he died in 1966.