Cleveland L. Abbott
Encyclopedia
Cleveland Leigh "Cleve" Abbott (some sources say "Cleveland S. Abbott") (December 9, 1892 – April 14, 1955) was an African-American football player, coach and educator.
in 1892. He graduated from high school in Watertown, South Dakota
in 1912, and received his bachelor's degree from South Dakota State University
in Brookings, South Dakota
in 1916. He was an outstanding, multi-sport athlete at Watertown High School (16 varsity sports letters) and SDSU (14 varsity letters at SDSU). After serving in Europe in World War I
, Abbott accepted a position as professor and coach at Tuskegee.
Abbott was the eighth head football coach for the Tuskegee University Golden Tigers located in Tuskegee, Alabama
and he held that position for thirty-two seasons, from 1923 until 1954. His coaching record at Tuskegee was 202 wins, 97 losses, and 27 ties. As of the conclusion of the 2007 season, this ranks him first at Tuskegee in total wins and fifth at Tuskegee in winning percentage (.661).
Abbott earned the respect of his peers through his team's performance and by participating in national committees for the selection of "all-American" players at the collegiate level.
Abbott died in 1955.
Life
Abbott was born in Yankton, South DakotaYankton, South Dakota
Yankton is a city in, and the county seat of, Yankton County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 14,454 at the 2010 census. Yankton was the original capital of Dakota Territory. It is named for the Yankton tribe of Nakota Native Americans...
in 1892. He graduated from high school in Watertown, South Dakota
Watertown, South Dakota
Watertown is a city in and the county seat of Codington County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 21,482 at the 2010 census. It is also the principal city of the Watertown Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Codington and Hamlin counties...
in 1912, and received his bachelor's degree from South Dakota State University
South Dakota State University
South Dakota State University is the largest university in the U.S. state of South Dakota, located in Brookings. A public land-grant university and sun grant college, founded under the provisions of the 1862 Morrill Act, SDSU offers programs of study required by, or harmonious to, this Act...
in Brookings, South Dakota
Brookings, South Dakota
Brookings is a city in Brookings County, South Dakota, United States. Brookings is the fourth largest city in South Dakota, with a population of 22,056 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Brookings County, and home to South Dakota State University, the largest institution of higher...
in 1916. He was an outstanding, multi-sport athlete at Watertown High School (16 varsity sports letters) and SDSU (14 varsity letters at SDSU). After serving in Europe in 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...
, Abbott accepted a position as professor and coach at Tuskegee.
Abbott was the eighth head football coach for the Tuskegee University Golden Tigers located in Tuskegee, Alabama
Tuskegee, Alabama
Tuskegee is a city in Macon County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 11,846 and is designated a Micropolitan Statistical Area. Tuskegee has been an important site in various stages of African American history....
and he held that position for thirty-two seasons, from 1923 until 1954. His coaching record at Tuskegee was 202 wins, 97 losses, and 27 ties. As of the conclusion of the 2007 season, this ranks him first at Tuskegee in total wins and fifth at Tuskegee in winning percentage (.661).
Abbott earned the respect of his peers through his team's performance and by participating in national committees for the selection of "all-American" players at the collegiate level.
Abbott died in 1955.
External links
- USATF Hall of Fame
- SDSU Athletic Hall of Fame
- Abbott, Cleveland Leigh (1892–1955) at blackpast.orgBlackPast.orgBlackPast.org is a web-based free content reference center that is dedicated primarily to the understanding of African American history and the history of people of African ancestry...