John Fuhrer

John William Fuhrer (April 11, 1880 – July 24, 1972)^[1] was an American college football and college basketball coach. He served as the head football coach at Doane College from 1904 to 1907 and Kansas State Teachers College of Pittsburg—referred to commonly at the time as Pittsburg Normal and now known as Pittsburg State University–from 1909 to 1914 and again in 1918, compiling a career college football coaching record of 39–33–2. Fuhrer was also the head basketball coach at Pittsburg Normal from 1909 to 1914, tallying a mark of 21–20. He also competed at the 1904 Summer Olympics.^[2]

John Fuhrer

Fuhrer pictured in the 1906 Doane football team photo
Biographical details
Born	(1880-04-11)April 11, 1880 La Harpe, Illinois, U.S.
Died	July 24, 1972(1972-07-24) (aged 92) Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S.
Alma mater	Doane College (1906)
Playing career
Football
1901–1903	Doane
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1904–1907	Doane
1909–1914	Pittsburg Normal
1918	Pittsburg Normal
Basketball
1909–1914	Pittsburg Normal
Head coaching record
Overall	39–33–2 (football) 21–20 (basketball)

Athletic career

Fuhrer competed in the men's triple jump at the 1904 Summer Olympics, where he placed fourth.^[3]

Coaching career

Doane

Fuhrer was the tenth head football coach at Doane College in Crete, Nebraska and he held that position for four seasons, from 1904 until 1907. His coaching record at Doane was 13–11.^[4]

In 1971, a gymnasium at Doane College was named after Fuhrer, with him present at the dedication.^[5]

Pittsburg State

Fuhrer was the second head football coach at Kansas State Teachers College of Pittsburg—referred to commonly at the time as Pittsburg Normal and now known as Pittsburg State University–in Pittsburg, Kansas. He coached from 1909 through 1914, and then returned for the 1918 season for a total of seven seasons. His teams posted a record of 26–22–2.

On November 27, 1913 in a game against the Southwestern Moundbuilders coached by Fred Clapp, Fuhrer officially launched a formal protest against the appearance of an African American player.^[6]

Lincoln Y.M.C.A.

Fuhrer moved to Lincoln, Nebraska in 1919 to serve as physical director of the Lincoln Y.M.C.A.^[7]

Death

Fuhrer died on July 24, 1972, aged 92.^[8]

Head coaching record

Football

Year	Team	Overall	Conference	Standing	Bowl/playoffs
Doane Tigers (Independent) (1904–1907)
1904	Doane	5–2
1905	Doane	5–1
1906	Doane	2–3
1907	Doane	1–5
Doane:		13–11
Pittsburg Normal Gorillas (Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference) (1909–1914)
1909	Pittsburg Normal	2–2–1
1910	Pittsburg Normal	6–3
1911	Pittsburg Normal	6–3
1912	Pittsburg Normal	4–4
1913	Pittsburg Normal	4–2–1	1–1–1	T–7th
1914	Pittsburg Normal	1–7
Pittsburg Normal Gorillas (Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference) (1918)
1918	Pittsburg Normal	3–1
Pittsburg Normal:		26–22–2
Total:		39–33–2

References

1. "FamilySearch: Sign In". Retrieved June 24, 2023.
2. "John Fuhrer". Olympedia. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
3. Gjerde, Arild; Jeroen Heijmans; Bill Mallon; Hilary Evans (September 2013). "John W. Fuhrer Bio, Stats, and Results". Olympics. Sports Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 17, 2020. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
4. "Coaching records". www.cfbdatawarehouse.com. Archived from the original on May 25, 2011.
5. "L. B. Andrew Is Guest At Dedication". The Northwest Arkansas Times. Fayetteville, Arkansas. May 19, 1970. p. 5. Retrieved August 11, 2017 – via Newspapers.com .
6. New York Times "Protest Negro Football Player" November 21, 1913
7. "Y.M.C.A Physical Director and State High Jump Record Holder". The Nebraska State Journal. Lincoln, Nebraska. January 18, 1925. p. 9. Retrieved August 11, 2017 – via Newspapers.com .
8. "John Fuhrer, 1906 Doane Grad, And Crete Native, Dies Monday", The Crete News, July 27, 1972

External links

• John Fuhrer at Olympedia