B. N. Wilson
American professor, engineer, and football coach
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Birton Neill Wilson (November 16, 1874 – January 27, 1948) was an American professor, engineer, and college football coach. He served as a professor of mechanical engineering and the head football coach at Arkansas Industrial University (now known as the University of Arkansas).
Philadelphia, New York, U.S.
Fayetteville, Arkansas, U.S.
Wilson pictured in a 1908 University of Arkansas publication | |
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 16, 1874 Philadelphia, New York, U.S. |
| Died | January 27, 1948 (aged 73) Fayetteville, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1897–1898 | Arkansas Industrial |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 4–1–1 |
Biography
Wilson was born in Philadelphia in 1874.[1] Residing in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Wilson attended the Georgia School of Technology where he earned a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering in 1896.[2] Wilson was elected president of his senior class and "always maintained a high standing in college."[3] He was a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Alpha Tau chapter of Kappa Sigma.[4][5] After graduation, Wilson began teaching at the University of Arkansas as an instructor in mechanical engineering until 1899.[4]
From 1897 to 1898, Wilson coached the Arkansas football team and over the course of two seasons amassed a record of 4–1–1. Later in his life, Wilson enjoyed recalling a quote from a partisan newspaper after his team played Fort Smith: "Thugs, pug-uglies, and roughnecks. Such are B. N. Wilson and the University of Arkansas football team."[6]
From 1899 until 1902, he was an adjunct professor of mechanical engineering and assistant superintendent of mechanical arts.[7] In 1902, the University of Arkansas promoted him to the post of professor of mechanical engineering.[4] In 1903, he studied at the University of Michigan,[4] and eventually received a master of engineering degree from Michigan in 1909.[2] By 1908, he was the superintendent of mechanical arts.[8] He received an M.M.E. degree from Cornell University.[9] He taught at the University of Arkansas until 1923.[10]
Wilson died suddenly at his Fayetteville home on January 27, 1948.[11]
Head coaching record
| Year | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Bowl/playoffs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Industrial Cardinals (Independent) (1897–1898) | |||||||||
| 1897 | Arkansas Industrial | 2–0–1 | |||||||
| 1898 | Arkansas Industrial | 2–1 | |||||||
| Arkansas Industrial: | 4–1–1 | ||||||||
| Total: | 4–1–1 | ||||||||
