1958 Otterbein College (18) at Oberlin College (12) Football Film

Authors

Otterbein University

Files

Description

Otterbein 18 at Oberlin 12

October 11, 1958

Savage Stadium, Oberlin, Ohio

Time: 16:57 Type: B&W Program: No

Schools: Otterbein University is a private university in Westerville, Ohio. The university was founded in 1847 by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ and named for United Brethren founder the Rev. Philip William Otterbein. After the merger of the Evangelical United Brethren Church and the Methodist Church, in 1968, Otterbein has been associated with the United Methodist Church. In 2010, its name was changed back from Otterbein College to Otterbein University because of an increasing number of graduate and undergraduate programs. Colors: Tan and Cardinal. Mascot: Cardinals

Oberlin College is a private liberal arts college and conservatory of music in Oberlin, Ohio. It is the oldest coeducational liberal arts college in the United States and the second oldest continuously operating coeducational institute of higher learning in the world. The Oberlin Conservatory of Music is the oldest continuously operating conservatory in the United States. In 1835 Oberlin became one of the first colleges in the United States to admit African Americans, and in 1837 the first to admit women. It has been known since its founding for progressive student activism. Colors: Crimson and Gold. Mascot: Yeomen (In 1886 Oberlin began intercollegiate athletics. Varsity lettermen were referred to as “Ye O Men.” As a result of a student contest the “Yeomen” mascot was adopted in 1926. When women’s sports were added to the program in 1973, they were referred to as “Yeowomen.” As for a physical mascot the school chose an albino squirrel, a fixture on campus, named “Yobe” in 2014.)

Pio, Chris, Gryphons, Gorloks and Gusties: A History of NCAA Division III Nicknames and Mascots, Privately Published, Las Vegas, NV, 2021, pp. 135-136.

Coaches: Otterbein – Robert “Moe” Agler (March 13, 1924 – September 16, 2005, Otterbein ‘48) A 1941 graduate of Dublin High School in Dublin, Ohio, he enrolled in Otterbein College where he lettered in football, basketball, baseball and track. After serving in the Navy during World War II, and participating in the D-Day invasion, Agler returned to Otterbein in 1946 where he was a member of, arguably, the best team in school history. He was instrumental in the school’s most memorable game, a 13-7 loss to the University of West Virginia with the Cardinals threatening to score as time expired. After graduating in 1948 he played professionally for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL) and the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Returning to central Ohio in 1950 Agler was hired as head football coach at his alma mater, Dublin High School, where he won the Franklin County Championship. He moved to Johnstown High School in 1952 before returning to Otterbein the next year as an assistant to Harry Ewing. In 1955 Agler replaced Ewing as head coach serving two stints, from 1955 to 1965 and 1970 to 1974, compiling a record of 74–63–5. He was also the head basketball coach at Otterbein from 1955 to 1958, tallying a mark of 13–39, and served as Athletic Director (1955-1975). Following his retirement, he was instrumental in the construction of the new Memorial Stadium.

Oberlin – John William “Bill” Grice (1920, North Carolina - October 6, 2000, Carolina Shores, NC; Guilford, AB ’41; University of North Carolina, MA; Ohio State, PhD. ‘71) A 1941 graduate of Guilford College in North Carolina, he earned a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina. Following graduation from UNC he coached three sports at Chapel Hill High School for seven years earning 10 championships. From Chapel Hill he came to Oberlin where he was backfield coach for three years before taking over as head coach in 1958. Besides assisting with many sports, he is also the head Oberlin baseball and wrestling coach. In September 1972, he was asked to leave Oberlin after 19-years at the college as a result of conflicts with controversial Oberlin athletic director Jack Scott*. He moved on to Campbell (NC) College before becoming athletic director at Case Western Reserve University from 1974 to 1985. During his CWRU tenure, Grice increased the number of varsity sports from 15 to 19 and doubled the number of women’s sports from four to eight. CWRU gives an award in his honor each year to the Most Valuable Player on the Spartan football team. He was inducted into the CWRU Hall of Fame in 1992.

*- “Jack Scott was an American sportswriter and activist. He was most famous for his association with the Radical Sports Movement of the 1970s, his friendship with NBA star Bill Walton, and his alleged involvement harboring the fugitive, Patty Hearst. Scott received his PhD from the University of California, Berkeley and taught for a time at Oberlin College (where he was also Chair of Phys. Educ., and Athletic Director where he hired Olympian Tommie Smith to as track coach). His most famous work, Bill Walton: On the road with the Portland Trail Blazers, was published in 1978. Scott died at the age of 57 in 2000.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Scott_(sportswriter)

Notes:

Otterbein is wearing dark jerseys with Oberlin wearing white jerseys. Otterbein won their first game of the season after two losses and one tie. The victory came on the final play of the game, a pass from quarterback Larry Cline to halfback Dave Burger, as time ran out. (last seconds of film). This is also Oberlin’s homecoming. For more game details see the Columbus Dispatch articles linked to this page.

References:

“Refs Watch Otters Drill,” Columbus Evening Dispatch, October 9, 1958, p. 19A.

Frush, Charlie, “Wesleyan Holds Mt. Union, Cap, Cards, Red Hit Road,” Columbus Evening Dispatch, October 10, 1958, p. 8B.

“Otters Beat Oberlin On Final Play, 18-12,” Columbus Sunday Dispatch, October 12, 1958, p. p. 35B.

Game Date

10-11-1958

Game Score

Otterbein 18-Oberlin 12

Coaches

Otterbein – Robert “Moe” Agler (March 13, 1924 – September 16, 2005, Otterbein ‘48)

Oberlin – John William “Bill” Grice (1920, North Carolina - October 6, 2000, Carolina Shores, NC; Guilford, AB ’41; University of North Carolina, MA; Ohio State, PhD. ‘71)

Game Location

Savage Stadium, Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio

Comments

Otterbein is wearing dark jerseys with Oberlin wearing white jerseys. Otterbein won their first game of the season after two losses and one tie. The victory came on the final play of the game, a pass from quarterback Larry Cline to halfback Dave Burger, as time ran out. (last seconds of film). This is also Oberlin’s homecoming. For more game details see the Columbus Dispatch articles linked to this page.

Game Film # and Reel #

Game Film #24, Reel #13

Recommended Citation

Otterbein University, "1958 Otterbein College (18) at Oberlin College (12) Football Film" (1958). 1957-1959 Sports Films. 8.
https://digitalcommons.otterbein.edu/sports_films_1957-1959/8

Film Time

16:57 minutes

Keywords

College Football, Football Programs, Football Films