Arthur Karpus
Encyclopedia
Arthur Joe Karpus was an American football
, basketball
and baseball
player. He attended the University of Michigan
from 1917 to 1923, winning a total of seven varsity letters, three in basketball, three in baseball and one in football. He played for Big Ten Conference
championship teams in football (1918), baseball (1919) and basketball (1921). He was captain of the 1920–21 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team
that won the school's first conference championship in basketball. He was Michigan's leading scorer in basketball during both his junior and senior seasons. Karpus later played three years of minor league baseball from 1921 to 1923. After graduating from Michigan, Karpus worked as a mechanical engineer. He was employed by the Michigan State Highway Commission from approximately 1937 until his retirement in 1967.
and Grayling, Michigan
. His father, Stephen Karpus, emigrated to the United States in 1889 and worked as a sawmill hand in Bay City. His mother, Helen (Kitze) Karpus was also an immigrant. In 1900, Karpus was living in Bay City with his parents and three older sisters.
where he played for the football, basketball and baseball teams. As a freshman in 1917, he played at the end position for Michigan's all-freshman football team.
As a sophomore during the 1918–19 academic year, Karpus lettered in football, basketball, and baseball. He played at the end and halfback positions for the undefeated 1918 Michigan Wolverines football team
that won the Big Ten Conference
and national championships. He also played center for the 1919 basketball team. In February 1919, he made a basket in the second overtime period to give Michigan a 19–17 win over Michigan Agricultural College (now Michigan State
). He also scored 13 of Michigan's points in a 38–20 win over Ohio State later that same month. He also played third base for the undefeated 1919 baseball team that won the Big Ten Conference championship.(1919 baseball team, Big Ten Champions)
As a junior during the 1919–20 academic year, Karpus was academically ineligible to play football in the fall. However, he again lettered in basketball and baseball. Playing at the forward position, he played in eight games, scoring 22 baskets from the floor and 31 free throws for a total of 75 points. At the end of the 1920 basketball season, Karpus was elected captain of the 1921 basketball team.
As a senior during the 1920–21 academic year, Karpus was once again declared academically ineligible in the fall. However, his eligibility was restored in December, allowing him to participate in most of the basketball season. Despite missing several games, Karpus, playing at the forward position, was the team's high scorer for the second straight year, and he led the team from a last place finish the prior year to a three-way tie for the Big Ten Conference basketball championship. The 1921 basketball team compiled a record of 16–4 and won both games against Michigan Agricultural for the first time in the history of the rivalry. In a summary of the 1921 basketball season, the University of Michigan yearbook praised Karpus' contributions:
Karpus also played third base for the 1921 baseball team. The 1921 Michiganensian noted of Karpus: "When a hit was needed in a pinch, Coach Fisher could usually count on Joe who handled third base in a remarkable fashion. It was Karpus' third year on the Varsity."
for the Bay City Wolves in 1921, the Saginaw Aces in 1922 and the Kalamazoo Celery Pickers in 1923. He maintained a .326 batting average and a .439 slugging percentage in 37 games for the 1921 Bay City team.
with his wife, Angeline "Angela" (Superzynski) Karpus. He listed his occupation at the time as mechanical engineer at a copper and brass manufacturer. From approximately 1937 to 1967, Karpus was employed by the Michigan State Highway Commission in Lansing, Michigan
, the last 20 years as the Commissions's equipment manager. He retired in 1967.
Karpus died in 1983 at Bay City, Michigan.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
, basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
and baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
player. He attended the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
from 1917 to 1923, winning a total of seven varsity letters, three in basketball, three in baseball and one in football. He played for Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
championship teams in football (1918), baseball (1919) and basketball (1921). He was captain of the 1920–21 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team
1920–21 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team
The 1920–21 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team represented the University of Michigan in intercollegiate college basketball during the 1920–21 season. The team won its first eight games and its last eight games to finish tied with the and for the Western Conference Championship. Arthur...
that won the school's first conference championship in basketball. He was Michigan's leading scorer in basketball during both his junior and senior seasons. Karpus later played three years of minor league baseball from 1921 to 1923. After graduating from Michigan, Karpus worked as a mechanical engineer. He was employed by the Michigan State Highway Commission from approximately 1937 until his retirement in 1967.
Early years
Karpus was born in 1898 and raised in Bay CityBay City, Michigan
Bay City is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan located near the base of the Saginaw Bay on Lake Huron. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 34,932, and is the principal city of the Bay City Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Saginaw-Bay City-Saginaw Township North...
and Grayling, Michigan
Grayling, Michigan
Grayling is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Crawford County. The population was 1,952 at the 2000 census. Grayling takes its name from the Grayling fish that was once prevalent in its lakes and streams....
. His father, Stephen Karpus, emigrated to the United States in 1889 and worked as a sawmill hand in Bay City. His mother, Helen (Kitze) Karpus was also an immigrant. In 1900, Karpus was living in Bay City with his parents and three older sisters.
University of Michigan
Karpus enrolled at the University of MichiganUniversity of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
where he played for the football, basketball and baseball teams. As a freshman in 1917, he played at the end position for Michigan's all-freshman football team.
As a sophomore during the 1918–19 academic year, Karpus lettered in football, basketball, and baseball. He played at the end and halfback positions for the undefeated 1918 Michigan Wolverines football team
1918 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1918 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1918 college football season. The team's head football coach was Fielding H. Yost in his 18th season with the program. The 1918 team played in a season shortened by World War I travel restrictions and the 1918...
that won the Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
and national championships. He also played center for the 1919 basketball team. In February 1919, he made a basket in the second overtime period to give Michigan a 19–17 win over Michigan Agricultural College (now Michigan State
Michigan State Spartans men's basketball
The Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team represents Michigan State University and competes in the Big Ten Conference of NCAA Division I. The team currently plays at the Breslin Student Events Center...
). He also scored 13 of Michigan's points in a 38–20 win over Ohio State later that same month. He also played third base for the undefeated 1919 baseball team that won the Big Ten Conference championship.(1919 baseball team, Big Ten Champions)
As a junior during the 1919–20 academic year, Karpus was academically ineligible to play football in the fall. However, he again lettered in basketball and baseball. Playing at the forward position, he played in eight games, scoring 22 baskets from the floor and 31 free throws for a total of 75 points. At the end of the 1920 basketball season, Karpus was elected captain of the 1921 basketball team.
As a senior during the 1920–21 academic year, Karpus was once again declared academically ineligible in the fall. However, his eligibility was restored in December, allowing him to participate in most of the basketball season. Despite missing several games, Karpus, playing at the forward position, was the team's high scorer for the second straight year, and he led the team from a last place finish the prior year to a three-way tie for the Big Ten Conference basketball championship. The 1921 basketball team compiled a record of 16–4 and won both games against Michigan Agricultural for the first time in the history of the rivalry. In a summary of the 1921 basketball season, the University of Michigan yearbook praised Karpus' contributions:
"In any consideration of the players on the 1921 Varsity, Captain Joe Karpus leads, because of his high scoring ability, and the spirit which he put into the team. Karpus was the leading scorer of the team, both this year and last. He also ranked high in the Conference. It was his foul shooting that pulled more than one game out of the fire, during 1921. His performance in the first Illinois game, when he threw nine fouls out of a possible eleven will stand out as one of the most brilliant individual records of the season. Karpus coupled to his basket shooting ability an uncanny knack at dribbling."
Karpus also played third base for the 1921 baseball team. The 1921 Michiganensian noted of Karpus: "When a hit was needed in a pinch, Coach Fisher could usually count on Joe who handled third base in a remarkable fashion. It was Karpus' third year on the Varsity."
Minor league baseball
After graduating from Michigan, Karpus played minor league baseball in the Michigan-Ontario LeagueMichigan-Ontario League
Michigan State League was the name of an American professional baseball league. It operated seven full seasons and part of an eighth from 1919 to 1926....
for the Bay City Wolves in 1921, the Saginaw Aces in 1922 and the Kalamazoo Celery Pickers in 1923. He maintained a .326 batting average and a .439 slugging percentage in 37 games for the 1921 Bay City team.
Later years
At the time of the 1930 Census, Karpus was living in Detroit, MichiganDetroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
with his wife, Angeline "Angela" (Superzynski) Karpus. He listed his occupation at the time as mechanical engineer at a copper and brass manufacturer. From approximately 1937 to 1967, Karpus was employed by the Michigan State Highway Commission in Lansing, Michigan
Lansing, Michigan
Lansing is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located mostly in Ingham County, although small portions of the city extend into Eaton County. The 2010 Census places the city's population at 114,297, making it the fifth largest city in Michigan...
, the last 20 years as the Commissions's equipment manager. He retired in 1967.
Karpus died in 1983 at Bay City, Michigan.