Fred Norcross

Fred Stephenson "Norky" Norcross, Jr. (July 14, 1884 – April 4, 1965)^[1] was an American football player and coach and mining engineer. He was the quarterback for the University of Michigan from 1903 to 1905, leading the team to a 33–1–1 record in three seasons, including national championships in 1903 and 1904. Norcross was the head football coach Oregon State University, then known as Oregon Agricultural College, from 1906 to 1908. After retiring from football, Norcross worked in the mining industry for more than 40 years, holding positions in British Columbia, Cuba, New Mexico, Mexico, New York, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. He also served as a Major in the U.S. Army, 27th Engineers during World War I.

Early years

Norcross was born in Menominee in Michigan's Upper Peninsula in July 1884.^[2] His father, Fred S. Norcross, Sr., was a native of Maine. His mother, Addie Maria (Knowles) Norcross, was also a native of Maine. At the time of the 1900 United States Census, Norcross was living with his parents and grandfather in Menominee. His grandfather's occupation was listed as "capitalist," and his father's as "co-treasurer."^[3]

University of Michigan

Norcross played football at Michigan from 1903–1905. While at Michigan, Norcross played quarterback for the legendary Fielding H. Yost. In his three seasons as a player, the Wolverines were 33–1–1 and claimed national championships in 1903 and 1904. Norcross was named the team captain in 1905.^[4]

Collegiate coaching

At the conclusion of his playing career, Norcross came to Corvallis, Oregon to become the head football coach at Oregon Agricultural College. Oregon Agricultural had begun their search for a coach in April, and settled late in the summer on Norcross, their third choice. This decision, however, turned out very well for the school. In his three seasons as the head coach from 1906 to 1908, Norcross posted an overall record of 14–4–3. In his first 72 quarters as coach, his team only gave up 4 points, a field goal in the final game of the 1906 season.^[5][6]

The 1907 season was by far his best and possibly the school's best ever. The team went 6–0, scored 137 points, gave up no points, and won the unofficial championship of the Western United States after beating St. Vincent's College, 10–0, in Los Angeles, California. This "perfect" season has never, and most likely will never be repeated.^[5][7]

Mining business

After one year as a college football coach, Norcross began a lengthy career in the mining business. At the time of the 1910 United States Census, Norcross was living in Wilkeson, Washington. His occupation was listed as a mining engineer working for a mine.^[8]

From April 1912 to December 1917, Norcross lived in Greenwood and later Princeton, British Columbia.^[2] He worked at mining areas in British Columbia, Mexico and New Mexico.^[9]

During World War I, from 1917 to 1919, Norcross served as a Major in the U.S. Army, 27th Engineers.^[2]

In May 1921, he applied for a passport to allow him to travel to Panama and Nicaragua as a mine examiner. He was employed at the time by the Goodrich Lockhart Company to examine some mining property in the company's interests.^[2]

At the time of the 1930 United States Census, Norcross was living in Plandome, New York. His occupation was listed as a mining engineer.^[10]

In 1939, Norcross was working as a mining superintendent in Cristo, Oriente, Cuba.^[11]

Norcross later became vice president of the Freeport Sulphur Co. He retired in approximately 1956.^[9]

Family, death and posthumous honors

Norcross was married to Elizabeth Evans Jackman on November 6, 1923 in Menominee, Michigan. They had three children, Mary, Fred III, and Robert.^[10]

In April 1965, Norcross died at age 81 at the University Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He was survived by his wife and two sons. His funeral was held in Menominee.^[9][12]

Norcross was inducted into the Upper Peninsula Sports Hall of Fame in 1972.^[13]

Head coaching record

External links

• Photographs of F.S. Norcross

References