George M. Lawton

George Morrison Lawton (August 3, 1886 – September 30, 1941) was an American football player and coach. He played at the fullback and punter positions for the University of Michigan football team from 1908 to 1910. He was the head coach for the University of Detroit Titans football team for the 1913 and 1914 seasons.

George M. Lawton
Lawton from 1910 Michigan football team portrait
Biographical details
Born(1886-08-03)August 3, 1886
Ridgetown, Ontario, Canada
DiedSeptember 30, 1941(1941-09-30) (aged 55)
Scio Township, Michigan, U.S.
Playing career
1908–1910Michigan
Position(s)Fullback, punter
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1913–1914Detroit
Head coaching record
Overall7–6–3

Early years

Lawton was born in Ridgetown, Ontario, Canada in 1886. He moved with his parents to Detroit, Michigan as an infant. His father, Thomas M. Lawton was a prominent physician in Detroit for 25 years. Lawton was educated in the Detroit public schools and graduated from Detroit Central High School.[1]

University of Michigan

Lawton enrolled in the law department at the University of Michigan and received his LL.B. degree in 1911.[1] While attending Michigan, he played for Fielding H. Yost's Michigan Wolverines football team as a fullback and punter from 1908 to 1910.[2]

Coaching career

In August 1913, Lawton was hired as the head coach of Detroit Titans football team.[3] He served in that capacity from 1913 to 1914. In two seasons as the team's head coach, he compiled a record of 6–6–3 (.500).[4]

Business career and family

After graduating from Michigan, Lawton was admitted to the Michigan bar, but he never practiced as an attorney. He worked for several years on YMCA activities in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the circulation department of The Detroit News, and in the real estate business. In 1913, he formed an insurance partnership called Lawton & Ouellette in Detroit. He worked for many years in the insurance business and also officiated at college and high school football games. Lawton married Laura Bessie Newton in 1917, and they had five children, Thomas Stanley,[1] Bessie Jean,[1] Louie Jane, Diana Howard and George Francis Eugene.

Lawton's brother, J. Fred Lawton, wrote the song "Varsity" for the Michigan football team. Lawton died in 1941 after several months of illness at his home in Ann Arbor at age 55.[5]

Head coaching record
Year Team Overall ConferenceStanding Bowl/playoffs
Detroit Tigers (Independent) (1913–1914)
1913 Detroit 5–3–1
1914 Detroit 2–3–2
Detroit College: 7–6–3
Total:7–6–3

References
  1. William Stocking, Gordon K. Miller (1922). The City of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Volume 5. The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company. pp. 558, 561.
  2. "George Lawton's Case Proves That Athletes Can Come Back: After a Brilliant Career on Preparatory School and Club Football Elevens, Lanky Detroiter Proves a Disappointment in College Until Latter Part of His Final Season". Detroit Free Press. November 23, 1910. p. 10.
  3. "'George Lawton Will Coach the 1913 U. of D. Football Eleven: Former U. of M. Fullback and Punter to Take Charge of the Destinies of Local University Team--Good Material at Hand". Detroit Free Press. August 29, 1913.
  4. Shafer, Ian. "University of Detroit Mercy (All seasons results)". College Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2010.
  5. "George Morrison Lawton: Football Star on University of Michigan Teams, 1909-1910". The New York Times. October 1, 1941.
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