William Hanway Markward

GEDCOM Note

Abbrev: Obituary: Markward, William H. (1878-1947) Title: "Markward Dies at 68: Basketball Coach at Catholic High For 41 Years"

Author: The Philadelphia Inquirer Publication: Friday morning, 22 Aug 1947, page 24, column 1 Text: William H. ("Billy") Markward, one of the Nation's leading basketball coaches during his 41-year tenure at Roman Catholic High School, died yesterday at the Philadelphia Naval Hospital after a long illness. A bachelor and a veteran of the Spanish-American War, he had retired from coaching in 1941 and from his post as chief clerk in the Recorder of Deeds office shortly thereafter. He would have been 69 on Sept. 1. Funeral services will be conducted Monday at 2 P.M. from 1820 Chestnut St. The viewing will be held Sunday night. He is survived by a sister, Mrs. Sue Edkins, four nephews and eight nieces. An idol to the faculty, alumni and students at Catholic High, he developed 20 championship teams there, and rejected lucrative coaching offers from Pennsylvania, Yale, Princeton and St. Joseph's. He was not an alumnus of the school and had been playing the then new game only three years as a pro when he happened to volunteer to coach the 1900 Catholic High team. Thus began an incredible career during which he developed what was known as the Markward system, from which came 24 college captains, 240 college lettermen, and a number of outstanding coaches, of whom Billy Ferguson, St. Joseph's, is probably the outstanding example.

FRIENDS MADE GOOD When Yale exerted much pressure to obtain Mr. Markward in 1922,he recommended a friend, the late Joe Fogarty, who immediately developed a title team there. In 1926, when St. Joseph's approachedhim, he recommended Ferguson. Vince McNally, who captained the 1923 Markward team and later played football under Knute Rockne and captained basketball at Notre Dame, has said that while differing in personality, the two men were equally geniuses in building teams.

BUILT TITLE TEAMS Mr. Markward built title teams through the various basketballeras from the cage game to the current wide-open no-tap-off sport. Prior to 1919, he succeeded in persuading the school to give himno fee for coaching, but that year the late Monsignor John J. Bonner,afterwards Diocesan Superintendent of Schools, and a Markward product,led a movement under which a set salary was arranged. In 1925, his silver coaching anniversary was celebrated at abanquet attended by 1200 and he received a $2500 purse. An equallywell-attended dinner April 30, 1942, marked his retirement. Thecommittee voted to erect a bronze tablet at the school, but warshortages delayed the project.

INJURIES END CAREER Born in Philadelphia Sept. 1, 1878, Mr. Markward became a pioneer player at 19, with St. James at K. of C. Hall, 28th and Market Sts.Later he managed Wilmington and following that joined DeNeri, whereFogarty was a teammate. However, injuries soon ended his playingcareer. Among his many star players were Rube Cashman, Phil Douglas, andTom Dunleavy. Perhaps his last great team was the Mighty Mites, ofwhom Matt Guokas, Johnny McMenamin and Dan Kenney later starred forFerguson at St. Joseph's. Among his coaching products who became college captains were: Pennsylvania -- Jimmy Fitzpatrick, Joey Schaaf, Len Tanseer,Francis (Shorty) O'Donnell, Vince Walters and Francis Barrett. Notre Dame -- Vince McNally and Tom Conley. Catholic University -- Jack Glascott, Edgar White and FrancisGreer. St. Joseph's -- Jimmy Osborne, Tubby Walker, Johnny Krae, FrankSmith, now Collector of Internal Revenue; Bill Halpin, Jack (Reds)Lawlor, Matt Guokas, Dan Kenney, Johnny McMenamin, Frank (Cookie)McCusker and Pete Scully. La Salle -- Ralph Panzulla and Jimmy Donovan.

Note: Obituary. Retrieved from microfilm at Rutgers Alexander Library on 2 Mar 1996.

Served in this unit during Spanish-American War (closest he got to the action was Virginia) - http://www.paspanishamericanwar.com/sixthregiment/

Interesting note on obituary…it says he was survived by a sister, Mrs. Susan Edkins…but she had died 25 years before!