Kin Takahashi

Kin Takahashi (1866/1867 – May 7, 1902) was a Japanese college football coach who was the coach of the Maryville Scots football team from 1889 to 1897.[1]

Kin Takahashi
Biographical details
Born1866/1867
Hirao, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan
DiedMay 7, 1902 (aged 36)
Hirao, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan
Alma materHopkins, Maryville
Playing career
1889–1895Maryville
Position(s)Quarterback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1889–1897Maryville
Accomplishments and honors
Awards
  • Maryville Athletics Hall of Fame (1977)

Takahashi was born in either 1866 or 1867 in Hirao, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. He grew up in Hiramochi.[2] In March 1886, Takahashi moved to San Francisco, California to get an education.[2] He went to a Hopkins Academy in either Oakland, California, or in Massachusetts. At Hopkins, he converted to Christianity, which led to his parents cutting off all financial support.[2] After two years at Hopkins, he transferred to Maryville College.[2] He would spend seven years as an undergraduate at Maryville.[3] While there, Takahashi made plans for building a YMCA and gymnasium at the college. He was able to raise about 8,000 dollars to make the buildings.[4] He also laid the cornerstone of the building, named Bartlett Hall, in 1896. He decided to return to Japan in late 1897 to become a missionary.[5] He died on May 7, 1902, at the age of 36 from tuberculosis.

Takahashi was also an important figure in the Maryville football team, as he helped create the team while being a player-coach.[2] He would serve as the team captain and head coach from 1892 to 1897.[6] Takahashi was only 5 foot 2 inches tall, and 123 pounds when he played.[7]

He was inducted into the Maryville Scots Athletic Hall of Fame in 1977.[8] In 1998, an award was created by the Maryville college called the "Kin Takahashi Award for Young Alumni of Maryville College".[3]

References

  1. Franklin, Kelly (28 September 2019). "Kin Takahashi left legacy at Maryville larger than football". The Daily Times.
  2. Nov 2020, Greg Robinson / 30. "Kin was Much More than Kind: The Japanese Student Who Transformed Maryville". Discover Nikkei.
  3. "Who Was Kin Takahashi?". Maryville College.
  4. "KIN TAKAHASHI". Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, the Evening News, Wilkes-Barre Record. November 1, 1897 via Newspapers.com.
  5. "WILL RETURN TO JAPAN". Chattanooga Daily Times. September 27, 1897 via Newspapers.com.
  6. Silavong, Aurora (April 30, 2021). "Kin Takahashi: Forgotten Father of East Tennessee Football | Tennessee Journalist".
  7. "MetroPulse asks: Is Kin Takahashi the father of East Tennessee football?". Maryville College. September 12, 2008.
  8. "Kin Takahashi". Maryville College.
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