Grenville Lewis
Encyclopedia
Grenville Lewis, Jr. was an American engineer, cattle rancher, and college football
coach. He served as the head coach at the Maryland Agricultural College
(now University of Maryland).
, where he received a public education, including at the Business High School. He attended the Maryland Agricultural College, where he played as a fullback
on the football team
in 1894 and served as team captain in 1896. In his two seasons as a Maryland player, Lewis played every minute of each game. The school briefly discontinued its football team in 1895, but resurrected it the following year. As team captain in 1896, Lewis instituted the program's first physical training regimen, which included calisthenics
and long-distance running. As coach in 1896, Lewis compiled an 6–2–2 record. Lewis also played on the baseball team
and served as its captain in 1897. He graduated in 1897 with a Bachelor of Science
degree from the school's Scientific Course. In 1897, Lewis intended to commute to College Park
from Washington, D.C.
to assist Maryland captain and player-coach John Lillibridge
with his coaching duties. However, the Columbian University
(now George Washington University) Law School offered Lewis a scholarship and a position as football coach, captain, and fullback, which he accepted.
After college, Lewis worked in cattle ranching in Honduras
until 1900. He then worked for Clark and Krebs Consulting Engineers in Charleston, West Virginia
through 1905. In April 1904, he married Lillian Compton née Snowden. Lewis worked as an engineer on the Virginian Railroad, a superintendent for the New Etna Coal Company in Chattanooga, Tennessee
, and for the Straight Creek Coal and Coke Company in Kentucky
until 1908. He was then president and manager of the Ideal Block Coal Company in Lily, Kentucky. Lewis lived in Pineville, Kentucky
and was a member of the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers
. In 1916, he was working as a superintendent for the Virginia Iron, Coal and Coke Company.
Lewis later lived in Hollywood, Maryland
and died in September 1964.
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
coach. He served as the head coach at the Maryland Agricultural College
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
(now University of Maryland).
Biography
Lewis was born on November 12, 1875 in Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, where he received a public education, including at the Business High School. He attended the Maryland Agricultural College, where he played as a fullback
Fullback (American football)
A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
on the football team
Maryland Terrapins football
The Maryland Terrapins football team represents the University of Maryland in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision competition. The Terrapins compete within the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
in 1894 and served as team captain in 1896. In his two seasons as a Maryland player, Lewis played every minute of each game. The school briefly discontinued its football team in 1895, but resurrected it the following year. As team captain in 1896, Lewis instituted the program's first physical training regimen, which included calisthenics
Calisthenics
Calisthenics are a form of aerobic exercise consisting of a variety of simple, often rhythmical, movements, generally using multiple equipment or apparatus. They are intended to increase body strength and flexibility with movements such as bending, jumping, swinging, twisting or kicking, using...
and long-distance running. As coach in 1896, Lewis compiled an 6–2–2 record. Lewis also played on the baseball team
Maryland Terrapins baseball
The Maryland Terrapins baseball team represents the University of Maryland in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college baseball competition. The Terrapins compete as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Historically, Maryland has not been a strong baseball program, and the...
and served as its captain in 1897. He graduated in 1897 with a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree from the school's Scientific Course. In 1897, Lewis intended to commute to College Park
College Park, Maryland
College Park is a city in Prince George's County, Maryland, USA. The population was 30,413 at the 2010 census. It is best known as the home of the University of Maryland, College Park, and since 1994 the city has also been home to the "Archives II" facility of the U.S...
from Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
to assist Maryland captain and player-coach John Lillibridge
John Lillibridge
John A. Lillibridge was an American businessman and college football coach. He served as the head coach at the Maryland Agricultural College in 1897.-Biography:...
with his coaching duties. However, the Columbian University
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
(now George Washington University) Law School offered Lewis a scholarship and a position as football coach, captain, and fullback, which he accepted.
After college, Lewis worked in cattle ranching in Honduras
Honduras
Honduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...
until 1900. He then worked for Clark and Krebs Consulting Engineers in Charleston, West Virginia
Charleston, West Virginia
Charleston is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of West Virginia. It is located at the confluence of the Elk and Kanawha Rivers in Kanawha County. As of the 2010 census, it has a population of 51,400, and its metropolitan area 304,214. It is the county seat of Kanawha County.Early...
through 1905. In April 1904, he married Lillian Compton née Snowden. Lewis worked as an engineer on the Virginian Railroad, a superintendent for the New Etna Coal Company in Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga is the fourth-largest city in the US state of Tennessee , with a population of 169,887. It is the seat of Hamilton County...
, and for the Straight Creek Coal and Coke Company in Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
until 1908. He was then president and manager of the Ideal Block Coal Company in Lily, Kentucky. Lewis lived in Pineville, Kentucky
Pineville, Kentucky
Pineville is a city in Bell County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 2,093 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Bell County. It is located on a small strip of land between the Cumberland River and Pine Mountain.-History:...
and was a member of the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers
American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers
The American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers is a professional body for mining and metallurgy, with 90,000 members. It was founded in 1871 by 22 mining engineers in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, United States, being one of the first national engineering societies in the...
. In 1916, he was working as a superintendent for the Virginia Iron, Coal and Coke Company.
Lewis later lived in Hollywood, Maryland
Hollywood, Maryland
Hollywood is an unincorporated community located within St. Mary's County, Maryland. It was named in 1867, when a storeowner at Thompson's General Store near the Uniontown section of Hollywood required a name for the post office inside the store...
and died in September 1964.