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Harry Kipke Michigan Standout Player...

Born March 26, 1899, in Lansing, Michigan, Harry Kipke carved a significant place in college football...
March 25 Current Day: March 26 March 27

Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer
We invite you to take a ride through 1920's sports history in the audio drama that takes the listener through the sounds and legendary events of the era through the eyes of a young newspaper journalist. You will feel like you were there! Brought to you by Number 80 Productions and Pigskin Dispatch

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College HOF

"Harry Kipke Michigan Standout Player and Coach"

Last updated 📅 2025-03-26

Born March 26, 1899, in Lansing, Michigan, Harry Kipke carved a significant place in college football history, though his professional playing career was limited.  

Kipke helped make great players, Heisman winners, players into Presidents, and said one of the most popular statements in football.

College Career:

Kipke was a standout three-sport athlete at the University of Michigan, earning nine letters in football, basketball, and baseball. Kipke excelled as a halfback and punter for the Wolverines under the legendary Fielding H. Yost. He was named an All-American in 1922 and is celebrated as one of Michigan's greatest punters, whose strategic kicks often pinned opponents deep. Kipke captained the undefeated 1923 Michigan team that claimed a national championship. His prowess contributed to a remarkable 19–1–2 record for the Wolverines from 1921 to 1923.  

Football Legacy:

Kipke's enduring football legacy stems primarily from his successful coaching tenure at the University of Michigan. Taking over in 1929, he quickly transformed the program, leading the Wolverines to four consecutive Big Ten Conference championships and two national titles in 1932 and 1933. His 1932 and 1933 championship squads were undefeated and featured several All-Americans. Kipke, alongside Yost and Bo Schembechler, remains one of only three Michigan coaches to achieve four straight conference crowns. He is credited with popularizing the phrase, "A great defense is a great offense." Notably, Kipke also played a crucial role in assisting a young Gerald Ford attend Michigan. Despite a downturn in the latter part of his Michigan coaching career, Kipke's earlier success cemented his place in the program's history.  

The 1932 and 1933 national championship teams did not lose any games, and featured All-Americans Harry Newman, Charles T. Bernard, Ted Petoskey, and Francis Wistert.

Accolades, Awards and Career Stats:

All-American (Player): 1922

National Champion (Player): 1923 (Captain)

Four-time Big Ten Conference Champion (Coach): 1930, 1931, 1932, 1933  

Two-time National Champion (Coach): 1932, 1933  

Career Coaching Record: 49–30–5 (Michigan State & Michigan)

Michigan Coaching Record: 46–26–4  

Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame (Player): 1958  

  • HASHTAGS: #March26 #HarryKipke #Halfback #HeadCoach #MichiganWolverines #Number06 #CollegeFootballHallofFame
  • DOB: March 26
  • EVENTDAY: March 26
  • FOOTBALL NAME: Harry Kipke
  • FOOTBALL POSITION: Halfback, Head Coach
  • FOOTBALL TEAM: Michigan Wolverines
  • NCAAF JERSEY: Number 06
  • SPORTS: College Football Hall of Fame

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Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer
We invite you to take a ride through 1920's sports history in the audio drama that takes the listener through the sounds and legendary events of the era through the eyes of a young newspaper journalist. You will feel like you were there! Brought to you by Number 80 Productions and Pigskin Dispatch _________________________

Sports Jersey Dispatch
If you like remembering players of the NFL by their numbers then you may also enjoy going uniform number by number in othre team sports as well. We have it for you on our other website in baseball, basketball, hockey and more on the Sports Jersey Dispatch. _________________________

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