George C. Adams

George Caspar Adams (April 24, 1863 – July 13, 1900) was an American football player and former head coach of the Harvard University football program from 1890 to 1892. He co-coached with George A. Stewart, another Harvard graduate.

George Caspar Adams
Biographical details
Born(1863-04-24)April 24, 1863
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
DiedJuly 13, 1900(1900-07-13) (aged 37)
Quincy, Massachusetts, U.S.
Alma materAdams Academy (1882)
Harvard University (1886)
Playing career
1883, 1886Harvard
Position(s)End, rusher, halfback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1890–1892Harvard
Head coaching record
Overall34–2

Early life

Adams was born on April 24, 1863, in Boston, Massachusetts. He is a member of the Adams political family, which includes his father politician John Quincy Adams II and two United States Presidents, his grandfather John Quincy Adams and his great-grandfather John Adams.[1] His mother was also a granddaughter of United States Secretary of the Navy Benjamin Williams Crowninshield under presidents James Madison and James Monroe.[2] Adams attended the Adams Academy before entering Harvard in 1882,[3] where he graduated with an A.B. in 1886.[3]

Football career
Adams on the Harvard football team in 1886

During his time as a student at Harvard, Adams played a vital role in reinstating the football program in 1886 for Harvard by heading a petition movement to the administration. Once the season was granted, Adams played on the team and assisted in managing and coaching it.[4][5]

In 1890, Adams, along with another fellow alumnus, George A. Stewart (Class of 1884) were appointed as coaches for the Harvard football program of the upcoming season. In their first season, the team went 11–0, winning the national championship, also with five players being named All-Americans.[6] The appointment of Adams and Stewart is widely regarded to be the beginning of an organized coaching system at Harvard.[7]

Head coaching record
Year Team Overall ConferenceStanding Bowl/playoffs
Harvard Crimson (Independent) (1890–1893)
1890 Harvard 11–0
1891 Harvard 13–1
1892 Harvard 10–1
Harvard: 34–2
Total:34–2
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

Later life

Adams later resided in Boston where he worked for real estate.[3] He was also a recreational yachtsman who belonged to many yacht clubs.[3] Adams died of tuberculosis in Quincy on July 13, 1900.[3]

References
  1. Brogan, Hugh (1993). American presidential families - Hugh Brogan, Charles Mosley - Google Books. Macmillan Publishing Company. ISBN 9780028973050. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
  2. Browning, Charles Henry. Americans of Royal Descent: A Collection of Genealogies of American Families Whose Lineage is traced to the Legitimate Issue of Kings. Philadelphia: Porter & Costes, 1891, ed. 2, pp. 68–69.
  3. Secretary's Report - Harvard College (1780- ). Class of 1886 - Google Books. 1907. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
  4. Outing - Google Books. 1892. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
  5. National Magazine - James Harrison Kennedy - Google Books. 1896. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
  6. "Harvard : Media Center: Harvard Crimson Football - National Championships". Gocrimson.com. Retrieved December 6, 2012.
  7. Harvard Magazine - Google Books. 1990. Retrieved December 6, 2012.
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