Wilbur Hockensmith

Wilbur Darwin Hockensmith Sr. (August 17, 1878 – August 19, 1951) was the head coach of the football team at the Western University of Pennsylvania, today known as the University of Pittsburgh Panthers, in 1901. On October 5, 1901, Hockensmith led the school to a victory over West Virginia University, a 12–0 shutout in Morgantown. This was Pitt's first victory in the Backyard Brawl. The team would also post a record 7 wins in 1901 under Hockensmith.

Wilbur Hockensmith

Biographical details
Born	(1878-08-17)August 17, 1878 Irwin, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	August 19, 1951(1951-08-19) (aged 73) Irwin, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1901	Western U. of Pennsylvania
Head coaching record
Overall	7–2–1

Biography

Wilbur Hockensmith was born in Irwin, Pennsylvania on August 17, 1878. He served in the 14th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry during the Spanish–American War. He married Mabel C. Elderkin on September 14, 1905.^[1]

Hockensmith, who also played left guard for the university's football team,^[2] graduated from the Western University in 1901 with a degree in mechanical engineering.^[3] He later worked for his family's business, the Hockensmith Corporation, which ran a foundry in Irwin, Pennsylvania. Wilbur, his father (Frank Hockensmith) and son (Wilbur D. Hockensmith, Jr.) all served as the company's presidents.

Wilbur Hockensmith died at his home in Irwin on August 19, 1951, and was buried at Irwin Union Cemetery.^[4]

Head coaching record

Year	Team	Overall	Conference	Standing	Bowl/playoffs
Western University of Pennsylvania (Independent) (1901)
1901	Western University of Pennsylvania	7–2–1
Western University of Pennsylvania:		7–2–1
Total:		7–2–1

References

1. Rook, Charles Alexander, ed. (1923). Western Pennsylvanians: A Work for Newspaper and Library Reference. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Western Pennsylvania Biographical Association. pp. 594, 599. Retrieved November 3, 2024 – via Internet Archive.
2. "Athletics: W.U.P. Beats Grove City". The Western University Courant. 16 (1). Allegheny, PA: 17. November 1900. Retrieved November 5, 2010.
3. Annual Commencement of the Collegiate, Engineering and Legal Departments, The Western University of Pennsylvania, June 20, 1901, retrieved November 5, 2010
4. "Wilbur D. Hockensmith Dies, Headed Penn, Pa., Firm". The Pittsburgh Press. August 20, 1951. p. 28. Retrieved November 3, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.

External links

• Wilbur Hockensmith at Find a Grave