Today in Wheeling History: May 28—Bill Stobbs, professional football player and coach, was born in Wheeling (1896).
Thomas William "Bill" Stobbs Jr. was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, on May 28, 1896. He attended Wheeling High School and the Linsly Military Institute, both in his hometown, before playing college football at Washington & Jefferson College in Pennsylvania. Stobbs had a brief professional football career, playing as a blocking back for the Detroit Tigers in 1921, a team that competed in the American Professional Football Association (APFA), which later became the National Football League (NFL).
Beyond his playing career, Stobbs made a lasting impact as a coach. He began coaching football at Linsly Military Institute in 1919 and later served as an assistant coach at the University of South Carolina in 1920. He returned to Wheeling High School as a football and basketball coach from 1922 to 1925 before heading back to Linsly as head coach. His most notable coaching tenure was at Wittenberg College (now Wittenberg University) in Ohio, where he led the football team from 1929 to 1941 and the basketball team from 1932 to 1942.
Stobbs passed away on November 14, 1968, in Norfolk, Virginia, at the age of 72. Though his later years took him away from Wheeling, his impact on the city's sports scene remained profound. He was laid to rest in Greenwood Cemetery in Wheeling, ensuring his legacy as a dedicated coach and athlete continues to be honored in his hometown.
To learn more: Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/y3wjzs73), Pro-Football Reference (https://tinyurl.com/34z7xbsa), Find a Grave (https://tinyurl.com/ydxnmf9u)
Photo credits: Wikimedia Commons, Find a Grave
Thomas William "Bill" Stobbs Jr. was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, on May 28, 1896. He attended Wheeling High School and the Linsly Military Institute, both in his hometown, before playing college football at Washington & Jefferson College in Pennsylvania. Stobbs had a brief professional football career, playing as a blocking back for the Detroit Tigers in 1921, a team that competed in the American Professional Football Association (APFA), which later became the National Football League (NFL).
Beyond his playing career, Stobbs made a lasting impact as a coach. He began coaching football at Linsly Military Institute in 1919 and later served as an assistant coach at the University of South Carolina in 1920. He returned to Wheeling High School as a football and basketball coach from 1922 to 1925 before heading back to Linsly as head coach. His most notable coaching tenure was at Wittenberg College (now Wittenberg University) in Ohio, where he led the football team from 1929 to 1941 and the basketball team from 1932 to 1942.
Stobbs passed away on November 14, 1968, in Norfolk, Virginia, at the age of 72. Though his later years took him away from Wheeling, his impact on the city's sports scene remained profound. He was laid to rest in Greenwood Cemetery in Wheeling, ensuring his legacy as a dedicated coach and athlete continues to be honored in his hometown.
To learn more: Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/y3wjzs73), Pro-Football Reference (https://tinyurl.com/34z7xbsa), Find a Grave (https://tinyurl.com/ydxnmf9u)
Photo credits: Wikimedia Commons, Find a Grave
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