Eugene Van Gent
A pivotal figure in early 20th-century American collegiate athletics, excelling as a multi-sport athlete and influential coach.
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Biographical Overview
Birth and Death
Conrad Eugene Van Gent was born on December 23, 1889, in Ottumwa, Iowa, USA. His life concluded on June 12, 1949, in Solano County, California, USA, at the age of 59.
Early Athletic Foundation
Van Gent established his athletic credentials at the University of WisconsinโMadison. There, he participated in football, basketball, and track and field, laying the groundwork for his distinguished career in collegiate sports.
Collegiate Playing Career
Football Prowess
During his time at the University of WisconsinโMadison, Van Gent was a notable player for the Wisconsin Badgers football team. He competed in the 1911 and 1913 seasons, contributing to the team's performance during this era.
Basketball Excellence
Van Gent also made significant contributions to the Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball program from 1911 to 1914. His skills on the court were recognized at a national level.
All-American Recognition
His exceptional talent in basketball earned him a prestigious selection to the College Basketball All-American team in 1914. This honor underscores his status as one of the nation's top collegiate players during that period.
Coaching Tenure
Football Leadership
Van Gent transitioned into coaching, taking on head football coaching roles at several prominent institutions. He led the University of Texas at Austin in 1916, the University Farm (now UC Davis) in 1920, and Stanford University in 1921. His career college football head coaching record stands at 14 wins, 8 losses, and 3 ties.
Basketball Mentorship
In parallel with his football duties, Van Gent also served as a head basketball coach. He guided the University of Missouri (1914โ1916), the University of Texas (1916โ1917), and Stanford University (1921โ1922). His basketball coaching career amassed an impressive record of 42 wins and 19 losses.
Impact and Transition
His coaching career was notably interrupted by his service in World War I. Following his military service, he resumed his coaching positions, leaving a mark on the athletic programs of the universities he represented.
Coaching Statistics
Football Coaching Record
Van Gent's contributions to football coaching are detailed below, highlighting his tenures and conference performance.
| Texas Longhorns (Southwest Conference) (1916) | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1916 | Texas | 7โ2 | 6โ1 | 1st | |||||
| Texas: | 7โ2 | 6โ1 | |||||||
| University Farm (Independent) (1920) | |||||||||
| 1920 | University Farm | 3โ4โ1 | |||||||
| University Farm: | 3โ4โ1 | ||||||||
| Stanford (Pacific Coast Conference) (1921) | |||||||||
| 1921 | Stanford | 4โ2โ2 | 1โ1โ1 | 3rd | |||||
| Stanford: | 4โ2โ2 | 1โ1โ1 | |||||||
| Total: | 14โ8โ3 | ||||||||
Basketball Coaching Record
His extensive basketball coaching career is summarized below, showcasing his success across multiple conferences.
| Missouri Tigers (Missouri Valley Conference) (1914โ1916) | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Postseason | ||||
| 1914โ15 | Missouri | 8โ6 | 6โ6 | 3rd | |||||
| 1915โ16 | Missouri | 12โ3 | 9โ2 | 2nd | |||||
| Missouri: | 21โ9 (.700) | 15โ8 (.652) | |||||||
| Texas Longhorns (Southwest Conference) (1917) | |||||||||
| 1916โ17 | Texas | 13โ3 | 7โ1 | 1st | |||||
| Texas: | 13โ3 (.813) | 7โ1 (.875) | |||||||
| Stanford (Pacific Coast Conference) (1921โ1922) | |||||||||
| 1921โ22 | Stanford | 8โ7 | 4โ6 | 5th | |||||
| Stanford: | 8โ7 (.533) | 4โ6 (.400) | |||||||
| Total: | 42โ19 (.689) | ||||||||
Notable Achievements
Conference Championships
Under Van Gent's leadership, the Texas Longhorns secured the Southwest Conference championship in football during the 1916 season and again in men's basketball for the 1916โ17 season.
All-American Distinction
His exceptional performance on the basketball court was recognized with an All-American selection in 1914, marking him as one of the premier players in collegiate basketball at the time.
Health Challenges
Encephalitis Lethargica
In December 1922, Eugene Van Gent fell gravely ill with encephalitis lethargica, commonly known as "sleeping sickness." He was subsequently hospitalized in San Francisco, an event that marked a significant turning point in his life and career.
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Important Notice
This page has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is derived from publicly available data, primarily Wikipedia, and may not encompass all nuances or the most current information available.
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