Robert V. Whitlow
Encyclopedia
Colonel Robert V. Whitlow (November 7, 1918 – July 11, 1997) was an American military officer, football
coach, university athletic director
, and sports club executive. He served as the first head football coach and athletic director of the United States Air Force Academy
in 1955. Whitlow had a twenty-year career in the United States Air Force
, and during World War II
, saw combat as both a bomber and fighter pilot. After his military service, he worked for the Chicago Cubs
baseball franchise as its first "athletic director."
on November 7, 1918 to Victor and Elizabeth (née Drenth) Whitlow. He attended Fairfax High School
and the University of California, Los Angeles
. Whitlow then went on to the United States Military Academy
, where he earned letters in football
as a tackle
, baseball as a pitcher
, and basketball. On October 13, 1942, he pitched five innings as the starter against the New York Giants
, and when he was removed from the game, the score was a 2–2 stalemate. He started again on May 27 against Navy
, and helped Army to a 10–3 win, its first of the series since 1914. Whitlow earned his pilot wings as a first-year (senior) cadet, and was assigned to heavy bombers because of his large stature after graduating in January 1943.
pilot with the 458th Bombardment Group
. He later piloted P-51 Mustangs on reconnaissance missions with the Eighth Air Force Scouting Group
. In 1944, The Los Angeles Times reported on one of his aerial engagements in which he shot down a German Focke-Wulf 190 fighter. All told, he logged 550 combat hours over the course of one bomber and three fighter tours, and destroyed eight enemy aircraft. Whitlow received the Silver Star
, four Distinguished Flying Cross
es, and eight Air Medal
s.
In the late 1940s, Major Whitlow served as an assistant coach for the Army football team
at the United States Military Academy
. In 1947, while assigned to the Air Staff at the Pentagon
, Whitlow was selected for an officer exchange with the Mexican military academy, El Colegio Militar de Mexico
. His duties there included coaching the Mexican cadets in football. Whitlow guided a Mexican team to victory against an American team from Randolph Air Force Base
, which included Doc Blanchard
and Arnold Tucker
, in a December game he organized in Mexico City
called the "Silver Bowl". He was awarded the Mérito Militar de Mexico
.
. He served in that role for one season, and was replaced by Lawrence "Buck" Shaw
. After the 1956 Air Force football team
went 6–2–1, athletic director Whitlow turned down a bid offered for the Junior Rose Bowl. He wired the bowl organizers to inform them that the superintendent, Major General James Briggs
, had "disapproved participation of [the] Air Force Academy football team in post-season competition" after consulting with The Pentagon
.
In 1957, his three-year tour of duty ended, and he was reassigned within the Air Force
. In the 1960s, he held assignments in Germany and France. Whitlow was then assigned to Air Defense Sector, Montana
and qualified on the F-101 Voodoo
fighter.
, and was appointed as "athletic director" of the Chicago Cubs
baseball club. The position was created as part of the College of Coaches
experiment, and outranked general manager John Holland
. The unique arrangement was widely ridiculed by people associated with the franchise. One of his contributions was the installation of weight training equipment in the team's clubhouse, an uncommon practice at the time. Whitlow remained with the organization for two years.
In the 1980s, Whitlow was the president of the "Arizona Firebirds", a group of investors that sought to bring a National Football League
expansion franchise to Phoenix
. In 1984, commenting on widespread speculation that the Philadelphia Eagles
would relocate to Arizona, Whitlow said, "Until they're actually here, I won't accept it ... I'm really very surprised that anything is this close, especially because they don't have their own place to play. This doesn't seem very wise from the Eagles' point of view." Whitlow also owned the Phoenix Roadrunners
minor league hockey team.
Whitlow died on July 11, 1997 at his summer home in Harbor Point, 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...
coach, university athletic director
Athletic director
An athletic director is an administrator at many American colleges and universities, as well as in larger high schools and middle schools, who oversees the work of coaches and related staff involved in intercollegiate or interscholastic athletic programs...
, and sports club executive. He served as the first head football coach and athletic director of the United States Air Force Academy
United States Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States...
in 1955. Whitlow had a twenty-year career in the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
, and during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, saw combat as both a bomber and fighter pilot. After his military service, he worked for the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
baseball franchise as its first "athletic director."
Early life and education
Whitlow was born in Calwa, CaliforniaCalwa, California
Calwa is an unincorporated census-designated place in Fresno County, California, U.S. The population was 2,052 at the 2010 census, up from 762 at the 2000 census. Calwa is located south-southeast of downtown Fresno, at an elevation of 292 feet...
on November 7, 1918 to Victor and Elizabeth (née Drenth) Whitlow. He attended Fairfax High School
Fairfax High School (Los Angeles)
Fairfax High School is a Los Angeles Unified School District high school located in Los Angeles, USA, near the border of West Hollywood in the Fairfax District of Los Angeles...
and the University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA. It was founded in 1919 as the "Southern Branch" of the University of California and is the second oldest of the ten campuses...
. Whitlow then went on to the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
, where he earned letters in football
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...
as a tackle
Tackle (American football)
Tackle is a playing position in American and Canadian football. Historically, in the one-platoon system a tackle played on both offense and defense. In the modern system of specialized units, offensive tackle and defensive tackle are separate positions....
, baseball as a pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
, and basketball. On October 13, 1942, he pitched five innings as the starter against the New York Giants
History of the New York Giants (NL)
The history of the New York Giants, before the franchise moved to San Francisco, lasted from 1883 to 1957. It featured five of the franchise's six World Series wins and 17 of its 21 National League pennants...
, and when he was removed from the game, the score was a 2–2 stalemate. He started again on May 27 against Navy
Navy Midshipmen
The United States Naval Academy sponsors 30 varsity-sports teams and 12 club-sports teams . Both men's and women's teams are called Navy Midshipmen or "Mids"...
, and helped Army to a 10–3 win, its first of the series since 1914. Whitlow earned his pilot wings as a first-year (senior) cadet, and was assigned to heavy bombers because of his large stature after graduating in January 1943.
Military service
Whitlow served in the Second World War and saw aerial combat, initially as a B-24 LiberatorB-24 Liberator
The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California. It was known within the company as the Model 32, and a small number of early models were sold under the name LB-30, for Land Bomber...
pilot with the 458th Bombardment Group
458th Air Expeditionary Group
The 458th Air Expeditionary Group is a provisional United States Air Force unit assigned to the United States Air Forces in Europe. As a provisional unit, the 458 AEG may be activated or inactivated at any time....
. He later piloted P-51 Mustangs on reconnaissance missions with the Eighth Air Force Scouting Group
Eighth Air Force Scouting Forces
The Scouting Forces were several fighter flights formed by Eighth Air Force during World War II with a mission to check for Anti-Aircraft sites; weather conditions, and for Luftwaffe interceptor airfields and units in advance of heavy bomber missions over Occupied Europe and Nazi Germany.These...
. In 1944, The Los Angeles Times reported on one of his aerial engagements in which he shot down a German Focke-Wulf 190 fighter. All told, he logged 550 combat hours over the course of one bomber and three fighter tours, and destroyed eight enemy aircraft. Whitlow received the Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
, four Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
es, and eight Air Medal
Air Medal
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
s.
In the late 1940s, Major Whitlow served as an assistant coach for the Army football team
Army Black Knights football
The Army Black Knights football program represents the United States Military Academy. Army was recognized as the national champions in 1944, 1945 and 1946....
at the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
. In 1947, while assigned to the Air Staff at the Pentagon
The Pentagon
The Pentagon is the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, located in Arlington County, Virginia. As a symbol of the U.S. military, "the Pentagon" is often used metonymically to refer to the Department of Defense rather than the building itself.Designed by the American architect...
, Whitlow was selected for an officer exchange with the Mexican military academy, El Colegio Militar de Mexico
Heroic Military Academy (Mexico)
The Heroic Military College is a military educational institution founded in Mexico in 1823 in the former Palace of the Inquisition, under the name Cadet Academy taken in 1823 the name of Colegio Militar, settling in Perote, Veracruz, to return to Mexico City and occupied the Betlemitas monastery...
. His duties there included coaching the Mexican cadets in football. Whitlow guided a Mexican team to victory against an American team from Randolph Air Force Base
Randolph Air Force Base
Randolph Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located east-northeast of San Antonio, Texas. The base is under the jurisdiction of the 902d Mission Support Group, Air Education and Training Command ....
, which included Doc Blanchard
Doc Blanchard
Felix Anthony "Doc" Blanchard is best known as the college football player who became the first ever junior to win the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award and was the first ever football player to win the James E. Sullivan Award, all in 1945. He played football for the United States Military Academy at...
and Arnold Tucker
Arnold Tucker
Arnold Tucker is a retired United States Air Force Officer who graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY in 1947....
, in a December game he organized in Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
called the "Silver Bowl". He was awarded the Mérito Militar de Mexico
Military decorations of Mexico
This is a list of military decorations awarded by the United Mexican States .-Decoration for Heroic Valor:The Condecoración al Valor Heroico is awarded to military personnel for exceptional acts of heroism at risk of their own life; it may be awarded in both war and peace.Description: Gilt-edged...
.
Air Force Academy
In 1955, Whitlow was appointed the head football coach and athletic director at the newly created United States Air Force AcademyUnited States Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States...
. He served in that role for one season, and was replaced by Lawrence "Buck" Shaw
Buck Shaw
Lawrence T. "Buck" Shaw was an American football player and coach. He served as the head coach for Santa Clara University, the University of California, Berkeley, the San Francisco 49ers, the United States Air Force Academy, and the Philadelphia Eagles...
. After the 1956 Air Force football team
Air Force Falcons football
The Air Force Falcons are a college football team from the United States Air Force Academy, located just outside of Colorado Springs, Colorado. The team competes in the Football Bowl Subdivision of the NCAA Division I and the Mountain West Conference.-Style:...
went 6–2–1, athletic director Whitlow turned down a bid offered for the Junior Rose Bowl. He wired the bowl organizers to inform them that the superintendent, Major General James Briggs
James E. Briggs
Lieutenant General James Elbert Briggs was a United States Air Force general who served as the second Superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy.-Early years:...
, had "disapproved participation of [the] Air Force Academy football team in post-season competition" after consulting with The Pentagon
The Pentagon
The Pentagon is the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, located in Arlington County, Virginia. As a symbol of the U.S. military, "the Pentagon" is often used metonymically to refer to the Department of Defense rather than the building itself.Designed by the American architect...
.
In 1957, his three-year tour of duty ended, and he was reassigned within the Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
. In the 1960s, he held assignments in Germany and France. Whitlow was then assigned to Air Defense Sector, Montana
Aerospace Defense Command
Aerospace Defense Command is an inactive United States Air Force Major Command. Established in 1946 under the United States Army Air Forces, its mission was to organize and administer the integrated air defense system of the Continental United States , exercise direct control of all active...
and qualified on the F-101 Voodoo
F-101 Voodoo
The McDonnell F-101 Voodoo was a supersonic military jet fighter which served the United States Air Force and the Royal Canadian Air Force...
fighter.
Later life
Whitlow retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1963 at the rank of colonelColonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
, and was appointed as "athletic director" of the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
baseball club. The position was created as part of the College of Coaches
College of Coaches
The College of Coaches was an unorthodox strategy employed by the Chicago Cubs in 1961 and 1962. After the Cubs finished 60-94 in 1960, their 14th straight second-division finish, Cubs owner P.K. Wrigley announced in December 1960 that the Cubs would no longer have a manager, but would be led by...
experiment, and outranked general manager John Holland
John Holland (baseball executive)
John David Holland was an American baseball executive who served as general manager of the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball from 1956 to 1975...
. The unique arrangement was widely ridiculed by people associated with the franchise. One of his contributions was the installation of weight training equipment in the team's clubhouse, an uncommon practice at the time. Whitlow remained with the organization for two years.
In the 1980s, Whitlow was the president of the "Arizona Firebirds", a group of investors that sought to bring a National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
expansion franchise to Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
. In 1984, commenting on widespread speculation that the Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
would relocate to Arizona, Whitlow said, "Until they're actually here, I won't accept it ... I'm really very surprised that anything is this close, especially because they don't have their own place to play. This doesn't seem very wise from the Eagles' point of view." Whitlow also owned the Phoenix Roadrunners
Phoenix Roadrunners (IHL)
The Phoenix Roadrunners were a minor league professional ice hockey team in the International Hockey League. The team was housed at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The team played in the IHL from 1989 to 1997. The IHL Roadrunners were named for a World Hockey Association team of the same name...
minor league hockey team.
Whitlow died on July 11, 1997 at his summer home in Harbor Point, Michigan.