|
|
| RG
30/148 - William S. Chambers (1878-1942) |
|
Biography
|
| William
Sanford Chambers (1878-1942) was born at 199 E. Lorain Street,
Oberlin, in the house that was his residence during his entire
life. A day laborer in his younger days and later a gardener, he
was a man with artistic ability and a quite extensive knowledge
of flowers. But his great love was athletics and the guiding of
young men. Partially crippled so he could not himself participate
actively in sports, Bill acquired an encyclopedic knowledge of
them--football, baseball and track particularly--and became a keen
judge of athletic ability. From the 1890's to the 1920's he served
as trainer, and often unofficial coach, of many of Oberlin High
School and Oberlin Colleges teams. When Bill Chambers died in November,
1942, a newspaper reporter, obviously reflecting his own personal
loss, gave an indication of what this man had meant to Oberlin
when he wrote that "over a period of a quarter century his
influence for good among the young men of the village, and among
the athletes of Oberlin Academy and Oberlin College, was greater
than that of any other individual, regardless of rank or position." |
| Sources Consulted |
| Student
file of William S. Chambers (RG 28). |
|
