James Paul Kemerer (? – September 7, 1959) was an American college football coach. He was the head football coach for Ouachita Parish Junior College—now known as the University of Louisiana at Monroe—from 1931 to 1933. He also served as the school's basketball coach from 1931 to 1934.

Playing career

Kemerer grew up in Duquesne, Pennsylvania, and attended Pennsylvania State Forest Academy—now known as Pennsylvania State University. As a member of the football team he played guard. During the 1922 season, he was injured and ended up withdrawing from the school. After taking a year off, he enrolled at West Virginia Wesleyan College. Sometime during his sophomore season, he suffered a broken hand.[1] He was voted team captain ahead of his junior season.[2] He is noted as the first Bobcat to receive the honor of captaincy as a junior.[3] The Press & Sun-Bulletin described Kemerer as "cool headed, aggressive, a fighter from the land of zip."[3]

After graduating from West Virginia Wesleyan, Kemerer signed to play semi-professionally for the Ironton Tanks.

Coaching career

Kemerer spent the 1929 school year as the athletic director for South Point High School in South Point, Ohio. After one year, he returned to Penn State, this time as an assistant freshmen coach to Larry Conover.[4] In addition to his on-field coaching role, he also served as a scout for the varsity team.[5]

In 1931, Kemerer was hired as the inaugural head football coach for Ouachita Parish Junior College—now known as the University of Louisiana at Monroe.[6][7] He also served the school's head basketball coach.[8] He resigned before July 1934 as James L. Malone was named his successor.[9]

From 1937 to 1938, Kemerer served as the head football coach for Glouster High School.[10] In his first season, the team won the conference championship.[10] In 1942, he served as an assistant coach for Ironton High School.[11]

Personal life

On August 30, 1928, Kemerer struck and killed William Runyon of Gallipolis, Ohio, near Gallipolis Airport when Runyon attempted to cross the road. Kemerer tried to swerve to avoid him, but Runyon, startled, moved backward into Kemerer’s path. Runyon sustained a skull fracture, two broken ribs, and unspecified internal injuries before ultimately dying from his injuries at the hospital. Kemerer was immediately arrested after the incident, but no charges were filed against him.[12]

In December 1928, Kemerer married Georgeanna Flower, a fellow staff member at South Point High School, in Columbus, Ohio.[13] Kemerer's mother died in January 1934.[14] He died on September 7, 1959, in Adelphi, Maryland.[15]

Head coaching record

Junior college football

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Ouachita Junior College Indians (Independent) (1931–1933)
1931 Ouachita Junior College 4–1–1
1932 Ouachita Junior College 0–9
1933 Ouachita Junior College 2–4–1
Ouachita Junior College: 6–14–2
Total: 6–14–2

[16]

References

  1. ^ "Heroes Returning". Hinton Daily News. January 5, 1925. p. 4. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
  2. ^ "Kemerer to Captain West Virginia". Intelligencer Journal. December 17, 1925. p. 10. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Gridiron Leaders of 1926". Press and Sun-Bulletin. November 12, 1926. p. 33. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
  4. ^ "An Outstanding College Player". Franklin Repository (Daily). November 4, 1930. p. 6. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
  5. ^ "Paul Kemerer is Back at State as Freshman Coach". The Daily Courier. November 6, 1930. p. 9. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
  6. ^ "Junior College Opening Sept. 28". The News-Star. September 16, 1931. p. 5. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
  7. ^ "Junior College Coach Slated to Arrive Friday". The News-Star. September 18, 1931. p. 1. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
  8. ^ "Indians Slate 5 Basketball Tilts". The News-Star. December 3, 1931. p. 7. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
  9. ^ "Malone Named Center's Coach". The News-Star. July 12, 1934. p. 8. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
  10. ^ a b "Untitled". Morgan County Democrat. July 13, 1939. p. 6. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
  11. ^ "175-Pound Back Leads Next Rival". Springfield News-Sun. September 30, 1942. p. 15. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
  12. ^ "Gallipolis Man Killed By Automobile Driven By Member Of Ironton Tanks". The Portsmouth Times. August 31, 1928. p. 2. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
  13. ^ "Ironton". The Cincinnati Enquirer. December 9, 1928. p. 108. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
  14. ^ "Mother of Paul Kemerer Dies at Duquesne, Pa". The News-Star. January 9, 1934. p. 9. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
  15. ^ "Obituary for James Paul Kemerer". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. September 9, 1959. p. 29. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
  16. ^ "2015 Football Media Guide". University of Louisiana Monroe Athletics. p. 144. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
Allikas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Paul_Kemerer
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