Adrian Van de Graaff
American football player and coach (1891–1936)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Adrian Van Vinceler Van de Graaff (September 6, 1891 – March 14, 1936) was an American college football player and coach. He played halfback for the Alabama Crimson Tide football of the University of Alabama. After football, he practiced law.
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 6, 1891 Tuscaloosa, Alabama |
| Died | March 14, 1936 (aged 44) Tuscaloosa, Alabama |
| Playing career | |
| 1911–1913 | Alabama |
| 1917 | Camp Gordon |
| Position | Halfback |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1919 | Alabama (assistant) |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Awards | |
| 2× All-Southern (1912, 1913) | |
Early years
Van de Graaff was born on September 6, 1891, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to Adrian Sebastian "Bass" Van de Graaff and Minnie Cherokee Jemison. Adrian, Sr. was a circuit judge who had been a sub on Yale's football team of 1880.[1] Adrian attended Tuscaloosa High School.
University of Alabama
Following in his father's footsteps, Van de Graaff joined the Alabama football team, becoming a prominent member of its 1911 and 1912 teams.[2] At Alabama he was a member of Phi Delta Theta. Van de Graaff's younger brothers Hargrove and William were also prominent football players for Alabama, William being the program's first All-American. Younger still was brother Robert J. Van de Graaff, the inventor of the Van de Graaff Generator which produces high voltages.
1912
Van de Graaff was selected All-Southern in 1912 by Nathan Stauffer of Collier's Weekly.[3]
1917
In 1917, Camp Gordon, the second military opponent Alabama faced as the country mobilized for World War I, beat the Tide 19–6. Camp Gordon had several players with college experience, including Van de Graaff.[4]
Law
Van de Graaff was "one of the most brilliant member of the Alabama bar, having an unusual aptitude for legal research."[5]