Billy Wasmund
Encyclopedia
William Stephen "Billy" Wasmund (December 1887 – October 4, 1911) was an American football
player and coach in the United States
.
Wasmund was born in December 1887 in Michigan. His father, Lebrecht Wasmund, was a stone contractor born in Germany. Wasmund attended Lafayette College
where he played fullback
for the school's college football
team for two years. Wasmund's play at Lafayette attracted the attention of Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan
. Wasmund transferred to Michigan where Yost developed him into a quarterback
. Wasmund was the Wolverines
' starting quarterback for three years, from 1907 to 1909.
In 1910, the University of Texas asked Yost to recommend a coach for the Texas varsity football team, and Wasmund was hired on Yost's recommendation. Wasmund led the Longhorns to a 6–2 record in 1910, and he was rehired to return as head coach in 1911. On October 1, 1911, six days before the opening game of the 1911 season, Wasmund fell from the second-story window of the apartment where he was living near the University of Texas campus. Wasmund was rendered unconscious by the fall and received bruises to his hands, arms and hips, a deep gash on the forehead and deep cuts on both legs. He regained consciousness Sunday afternoon, but died three days after his fall. Wasmund was known to be a somnambulist
, and it is thought that he walked through the window while sleep-walking. Death resulted from a rupture of the bladder and peritonitis
. Wasmund was 23 years old at the time of his death.
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 in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Wasmund was born in December 1887 in Michigan. His father, Lebrecht Wasmund, was a stone contractor born in Germany. Wasmund attended Lafayette College
Lafayette College
Lafayette College is a private coeducational liberal arts and engineering college located in Easton, Pennsylvania, USA. The school, founded in 1826 by James Madison Porter,son of General Andrew Porter of Norristown and citizens of Easton, first began holding classes in 1832...
where he played 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...
for the school's college 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...
team for two years. Wasmund's play at Lafayette attracted the attention of Fielding H. Yost of 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...
. Wasmund transferred to Michigan where Yost developed him into a 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...
. Wasmund was the Wolverines
Michigan Wolverines
The Michigan Wolverines comprise 27 varsity sports teams at the University of Michigan. These teams compete in the NCAA's Division I and in the Big Ten Conference in all sports except men's ice hockey which competes in the NCAA D1 Central Collegiate Hockey Association, and women's water polo, which...
' starting quarterback for three years, from 1907 to 1909.
In 1910, the University of Texas asked Yost to recommend a coach for the Texas varsity football team, and Wasmund was hired on Yost's recommendation. Wasmund led the Longhorns to a 6–2 record in 1910, and he was rehired to return as head coach in 1911. On October 1, 1911, six days before the opening game of the 1911 season, Wasmund fell from the second-story window of the apartment where he was living near the University of Texas campus. Wasmund was rendered unconscious by the fall and received bruises to his hands, arms and hips, a deep gash on the forehead and deep cuts on both legs. He regained consciousness Sunday afternoon, but died three days after his fall. Wasmund was known to be a somnambulist
Somnambulist
Somnambulist can refer to:* a person who engages in somnambulism * The title of a song "The Fleeting Somnambulist" by Deathrock/Gothic Band Christian Death, Written by by Rozz Williams November 6, 1963 - April 1, 1998...
, and it is thought that he walked through the window while sleep-walking. Death resulted from a rupture of the bladder and peritonitis
Peritonitis
Peritonitis is an inflammation of the peritoneum, the serous membrane that lines part of the abdominal cavity and viscera. Peritonitis may be localised or generalised, and may result from infection or from a non-infectious process.-Abdominal pain and tenderness:The main manifestations of...
. Wasmund was 23 years old at the time of his death.