RIP William Henry Harrison "Tippy" Dye - April 1, 1915 – April 11, 2012

[Muck]

I was a bit saddened to see that the passing of a man who was instrumental in Nebraska's change of fortunes on the gridiron was not mentioned on the board.

From Huskers.com:

"Bob Devaney was hired by Athletic Director William H. “Tippy” Dye after a search based on Dye’s stated goals of Nebraska’s being No. 1 in the nation in football and getting the best football coach in the country, regardless of who he was or where he was. Both goals were achieved."

How Tippy Dye Changed College Football

Tippy Dye changed college football. I’ll give you two reasons why, but let’s begin with a little background on Dye, who passed away on Wednesday at 97. He had an impact on college sports in three different incarnations: as a player, as a coach and as an administrator. Born in 1915 in Harrisonville, Oh., Dye was a two-sport star at Ohio State — basketball and football — from 1934-37. He took a brief foray into coaching after the end of his playing career, coaching at Brown and his alma mater from 1941-43, before serving in the Navy during World War II. Dye was actually a basketball coach: at Ohio State from 1946-50, winning 22 games in his final season, and at Washington from 1951-59, reaching the Final Four in 1953.

On the surface, it was in basketball that Dye left the biggest footprint. That’s not necessarily the case — not to diminish Dye’s lasting legacy with the Huskies, where he still ranks fourth on the school’s all-time wins list. Dye led Washington the Elite Eight in 1951 and the Final Four two years later; in the half-decade since, the Huskies haven’t advanced farther than the round of 16.

Forget basketball, however. Football: that’s where Dye cemented his legacy, even if his role in the history of two premier programs remains largely forgotten. One is his alma mater, Ohio State. The other is Nebraska, where he served as the athletic director from 1961-67.

.../snip/...

 

[Blackshirts007]

died on my birthday, damnit

 

[Foppa]

Thanks for the post...would've never realized otherwise.

 

[T_O_Bull]

William H. “Tippy” Dye has a chair at the table with Bob Davaney and Brooke Berringer.

T_O_B

 

[Muck]

To be honest I had no idea just how amazing his career really was.

Three sport Letterman in college. (Football, Basketball & Baseball). First Ohio State QB with three wins over TSUN. Two time All-Big Ten selection in Basketball.

Upset the Green Bay Packers as a member of a college all star team.

Coached Ohio State to a Big Ten Basketball title.

Coached Washington to three Pac consecutive championships & their only final four appearance.

Was the athletic director at Nebraska & was part of the change in mindset that helped propel the Huskers into being a perennial power.

That's quite a resume.

BTW if anyone ever wonders where TSUN really got their trademark helmet design from take a look at the photo in the first post. It was just a standard helmet pattern at the time.

 

[knapplc]

I was a bit saddened to see that the passing of a man who was instrumental in Nebraska's change of fortunes on the gridiron was not mentioned on the board.

It's been rather busy around here lately. Thanks for posting this. :thumbs

 

[HuskerFanChuck]

Condolences to Tippy's family. A truly remarkable legacy, affecting many different schools and many different people. Likely unmatched in many respects. My and my family's many thanks for starting the Husker legacy that continues today, and even that doesn't seem to be nearly enough to say in words. God bless and God speed.

 

[The Dude]

Cool story bro.

This isn't one of those sarcastic "cool story bro"s it truly is a cool story, bro.

 

[NUance]

Nice story. Thanks for posting. Also, now we know where Michigan copied their winged helmet design from. :lol:

 

[Muck]

Also, now we know where Michigan copied their winged helmet design from. :lol:

I mentioned that in my earlier post.

The above photo is Ohio State G Joe Galius in 1931.

Fritz Crisler claimed to have 'invented' the design in 1935 while at Princeton before bringing it to TSUN in 1938.

In 1931 Crisler was the head coach at Minnesota and faced Galius & the Buckeyes.

But this is getting off topic in a thread about a former Nebraska Athletic Director.