F. S. Norcross
Encyclopedia
Fred Stephenson "Norky" Norcross, Jr. (July 14, 1884 – April 4, 1965) was an American
football
player and coach and mining engineer. He was the quarterback
for the University of Michigan
from 1903 to 1905, leading the team to a 33–1–1 record in three seasons, including national championships
in 1903
and 1904
. Norcross was the head football coach Oregon State University
, then known as Oregon Agricultural College, from 1906 to 1908. After retiring from football, Norcross worked in the mining industry for more than 40 years, holding positions in British Columbia
, Cuba
, New Mexico
, Mexico
, New York
, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan
. He also served as a Major in the U.S. Army, 27th Engineers
during World War I
.
in Michigan's Upper Peninsula in July 1884. His father, Fred S. Norcross, Sr., was a native of Maine. His mother, Addie Maria (Knowles) Norcross, was also a native of Maine. At the time of the 1900 United States Census
, Norcross was living with his parents and grandfather in Menominee. His grandfather's occupation was listed as "capitalist," and his father's as "co-treasurer."
from 1903–1905. While at Michigan, Norcross played quarterback
for the legendary Fielding H. Yost. In his three seasons as a player, the Wolverines were 33–1–1 and claimed national championships
in 1903
and 1904
. Norcross was named the team captain in 1905
.
to become the head football coach at Oregon Agricultural College
. Oregon Agricultural had begun their search for a coach in April, and settled late in the summer on Norcross, their third choice. This decision, however, turned out very well for the school. In his three seasons as the head coach from 1906 to 1908, Norcross posted an overall record of 14–4–3. In his first 72 quarters as coach, his team only gave up 4 points, a field goal in the final game of the 1906 season.
The 1907 season was by far his best and possibly the school's best ever. The team went 6–0, scored 137 points, gave up no points, and won the unofficial championship of the Western United States
after beating St. Vincent's College
, 10–0, in Los Angeles, California
. This "perfect" season has never, and most likely will never be repeated.
. His occupation was listed as a mining engineer working for a mine.
From April 1912 to December 1917, Norcross lived in Greenwood
and later Princeton, British Columbia
. He worked at mining areas in British Columbia, Mexico and New Mexico.
During World War I
, from 1917 to 1919, Norcross served as a Major in the U.S. Army, 27th Engineers
.
In May 1921, he applied for a passport to allow him to travel to Panama and Nicaragua as a mine examiner. He was employed at the time by the Goodrich Lockhart Company to examine some mining property in the company's interests.
At the time of the 1930 United States Census, Norcross was living in Plandome, New York
. His occupation was listed as a mining engineer.
In 1939, Norcross was working as a mining superintendent in Cristo, Oriente, Cuba.
Norcross later became vice president of the Freeport Sulphur Co. He retired in approximately 1956.
. They had three children, Mary, Fred III, and Robert.
In April 1965, Norcross died at age 81 at the University Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan
. He was survived by his wife and two sons. His funeral was held in Menominee.
Norcross was inducted into the Upper Peninsula Sports Hall of Fame in 1972.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
football
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...
player and coach and mining engineer. He was the quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
for 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 1903 to 1905, leading the team to a 33–1–1 record in three seasons, including national championships
NCAA Division I FBS National Football Championship
A college football national championship in the highest level of collegiate play in the United States, currently the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , is a designation awarded annually by various third-party organizations to their selection of the best...
in 1903
1903 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1903 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1903 college football season. The team's head football coach was Fielding H. Yost...
and 1904
1904 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1904 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1904 college football season. In the team's fourth season under head coach Fielding H. Yost, the Wolverines compiled a perfect 10–0 record and outscored opponents 567–22. The 1904 team was the fourth of Yost's...
. Norcross was the head football coach Oregon State University
Oregon State University
Oregon State University is a coeducational, public research university located in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees and a multitude of research opportunities. There are more than 200 academic degree programs offered through the...
, then known as Oregon Agricultural College, from 1906 to 1908. After retiring from football, Norcross worked in the mining industry for more than 40 years, holding positions in British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
, New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan
Upper Peninsula of Michigan
The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is the northern of the two major land masses that make up the U.S. state of Michigan. It is commonly referred to as the Upper Peninsula, the U.P., or Upper Michigan. It is also known as the land "above the Bridge" linking the two peninsulas. The peninsula is bounded...
. He also served as a Major in the U.S. Army, 27th Engineers
27th Engineer Battalion (United States)
The 27th Engineer Battalion and its subordinate companies has often used the Fort Bragg/XVIII Airborne Corps standard of "Airborne!" for its motto.-History:...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
Early years
Norcross was born in MenomineeMenominee, Michigan
Menominee is a city in the Upper Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 9,131. It is the county seat of Menominee County. Menominee is the fourth-largest city in the Upper Peninsula, behind Marquette, Sault Ste. Marie, and Escanaba...
in Michigan's Upper Peninsula in July 1884. His father, Fred S. Norcross, Sr., was a native of Maine. His mother, Addie Maria (Knowles) Norcross, was also a native of Maine. At the time of the 1900 United States Census
United States Census
The United States Census is a decennial census mandated by the United States Constitution. The population is enumerated every 10 years and the results are used to allocate Congressional seats , electoral votes, and government program funding. The United States Census Bureau The United States Census...
, Norcross was living with his parents and grandfather in Menominee. His grandfather's occupation was listed as "capitalist," and his father's as "co-treasurer."
University of Michigan
Norcross played football at MichiganMichigan Wolverines football
The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
from 1903–1905. While at Michigan, Norcross played quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
for the legendary Fielding H. Yost. In his three seasons as a player, the Wolverines were 33–1–1 and claimed national championships
NCAA Division I FBS National Football Championship
A college football national championship in the highest level of collegiate play in the United States, currently the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , is a designation awarded annually by various third-party organizations to their selection of the best...
in 1903
1903 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1903 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1903 college football season. The team's head football coach was Fielding H. Yost...
and 1904
1904 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1904 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1904 college football season. In the team's fourth season under head coach Fielding H. Yost, the Wolverines compiled a perfect 10–0 record and outscored opponents 567–22. The 1904 team was the fourth of Yost's...
. Norcross was named the team captain in 1905
1905 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1905 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1905 college football season. The team's head football coach was Fielding H. Yost. The Wolverines played their home games at Regents Field...
.
Collegiate coaching
At the conclusion of his playing career, Norcross came to Corvallis, OregonCorvallis, Oregon
Corvallis is a city located in central western Oregon, United States. It is the county seat of Benton County and the principal city of the Corvallis, Oregon Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Benton County. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 54,462....
to become the head football coach at Oregon Agricultural College
Oregon State University
Oregon State University is a coeducational, public research university located in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees and a multitude of research opportunities. There are more than 200 academic degree programs offered through the...
. Oregon Agricultural had begun their search for a coach in April, and settled late in the summer on Norcross, their third choice. This decision, however, turned out very well for the school. In his three seasons as the head coach from 1906 to 1908, Norcross posted an overall record of 14–4–3. In his first 72 quarters as coach, his team only gave up 4 points, a field goal in the final game of the 1906 season.
The 1907 season was by far his best and possibly the school's best ever. The team went 6–0, scored 137 points, gave up no points, and won the unofficial championship of the Western United States
Western United States
.The Western United States, commonly referred to as the American West or simply "the West," traditionally refers to the region comprising the westernmost states of the United States. Because the U.S. expanded westward after its founding, the meaning of the West has evolved over time...
after beating St. Vincent's College
Loyola Marymount University
Loyola Marymount University is a comprehensive co-educational private Roman Catholic university in the Jesuit and Marymount traditions located in Los Angeles, California, United States...
, 10–0, in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
. This "perfect" season has never, and most likely will never be repeated.
Mining business
After one year as a college football coach, Norcross began a lengthy career in the mining business. At the time of the 1910 United States Census, Norcross was living in Wilkeson, WashingtonWilkeson, Washington
Wilkeson is a town in Pierce County, Washington, United States. The population was 477 at the 2010 census.-History:Wilkeson was officially incorporated on July 24, 1909 and boasts the oldest operating in Washington state....
. His occupation was listed as a mining engineer working for a mine.
From April 1912 to December 1917, Norcross lived in Greenwood
Greenwood, British Columbia
Greenwood is a small city in south central British Columbia.It was incorporated in 1897 and was formerly one of the principal cities of the Boundary Country smelting and mining district. It earned "city" status and has retained that stature despite the population implosion following the closure of...
and later Princeton, British Columbia
Princeton, British Columbia
Princeton is a small town in the Similkameen region of southern British Columbia, Canada. It lies just east of the Cascade Mountains, which continue south into Washington, Oregon and California. The Tulameen and Similkameen Rivers converge here...
. He worked at mining areas in British Columbia, Mexico and New Mexico.
During World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, from 1917 to 1919, Norcross served as a Major in the U.S. Army, 27th Engineers
27th Engineer Battalion (United States)
The 27th Engineer Battalion and its subordinate companies has often used the Fort Bragg/XVIII Airborne Corps standard of "Airborne!" for its motto.-History:...
.
In May 1921, he applied for a passport to allow him to travel to Panama and Nicaragua as a mine examiner. He was employed at the time by the Goodrich Lockhart Company to examine some mining property in the company's interests.
At the time of the 1930 United States Census, Norcross was living in Plandome, New York
Plandome, New York
Plandome is a village in Nassau County, New York in the United States. The population was 1,349 at the 2010 census. The Village of Plandome is in the Town of North Hempstead.-History:The Inc...
. His occupation was listed as a mining engineer.
In 1939, Norcross was working as a mining superintendent in Cristo, Oriente, Cuba.
Norcross later became vice president of the Freeport Sulphur Co. He retired in approximately 1956.
Family, death and posthumous honors
Norcross was married to Elizabeth Evans Jackman on November 6, 1923 in Menominee, MichiganMenominee, Michigan
Menominee is a city in the Upper Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 9,131. It is the county seat of Menominee County. Menominee is the fourth-largest city in the Upper Peninsula, behind Marquette, Sault Ste. Marie, and Escanaba...
. They had three children, Mary, Fred III, and Robert.
In April 1965, Norcross died at age 81 at the University Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Ann Arbor is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Washtenaw County. The 2010 census places the population at 113,934, making it the sixth largest city in Michigan. The Ann Arbor Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 344,791 as of 2010...
. He was survived by his wife and two sons. His funeral was held in Menominee.
Norcross was inducted into the Upper Peninsula Sports Hall of Fame in 1972.