Luke Urban
Encyclopedia
Louis John "Luke" Urban was an American
multi-sport athlete and coach. He played four seasons of professional American football
in the National Football League
and two years of Major League Baseball
with the Boston Braves. Urban was also a college football coach, a college and high school basketball coach, and a minor league baseball manager.
.
' All-NFL Team in 1922, and the Collyers Eye Magazine and Canton Daily News All-NFL Team in 1923.
and played for their minor league teams in Buffalo and Columbus. He made the Major Leagues in 1927 with the Boston Braves
. He appeared in 35 games for the Braves that season. Urban refused to report to spring training in 1928 as part of a contract holdout. He eventually reported to camp late. On June 22, 1928, he was traded with Jimmy Cooney
and Johnny Werts
for Bonnie Hollingsworth
. He played for Buffalo from 1928 to 1930 and the Springfield Ponies in 1931, and the Hartford Senators
from 1931 to 1932.
Following his graduation, Urban was offered the position of head football coach at Creighton University
, but turned down the offer in order to play professional football. From 1921 to 1930, he was the head basketball and football coach at Canisius College
. His football teams had a record of 46–27–7 record, with of his eight clubs having a record of .500 or better. He was the school's winningest football coach until he was passed by Tom Hersey in 1990.
Urban was the head basketball coach at Durfee High School
in Fall River, Massachusetts
from 1940 to 1960. He had a 247–91 record with the Hilltoppers and won two New England championships.
Urban was the manager of the Fall River Indians the of the New England League
from 1948 to 1950.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
multi-sport athlete and coach. He played four seasons of professional American 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...
in the 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...
and two years of Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
with the Boston Braves. Urban was also a college football coach, a college and high school basketball coach, and a minor league baseball manager.
College
Urban played football, basketball, baseball and ice hockey for the Boston College Eagles. He was a captain for the football, basketball and baseball teams. He was a member of the 1920 College Football All-America Team1920 College Football All-America Team
The 1920 College Football All-America team consists of American football players selected to the College Football All-America Teams selected by various organizations for the 1920 college football season.-Key:* WC = Walter Camp* UP = Henry L...
.
Football
Urban played end for the Buffalo All-Americans from 1921 to 1924. He was named to the Buffalo Evening News All-APFA Team in 1921, George HalasGeorge Halas
George Stanley Halas, Sr. , nicknamed "Papa Bear" and "Mr. Everything", was a player, coach, owner and pioneer in professional American football. He was the iconic longtime leader of the NFL's Chicago Bears...
' All-NFL Team in 1922, and the Collyers Eye Magazine and Canton Daily News All-NFL Team in 1923.
Baseball
Urban signed with the New York YankeesNew York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
and played for their minor league teams in Buffalo and Columbus. He made the Major Leagues in 1927 with the Boston Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
. He appeared in 35 games for the Braves that season. Urban refused to report to spring training in 1928 as part of a contract holdout. He eventually reported to camp late. On June 22, 1928, he was traded with Jimmy Cooney
Jimmy Cooney (1920s shortstop)
James Edward Cooney , nicknamed "Scoops," was an American shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for six different teams between and . Listed at 5' 11", 160 lb., Cooney batted and threw right-handed. His father Jimmy Sr...
and Johnny Werts
Johnny Werts
Henry Levi "Johnny" Werts was a right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Boston Braves from 1926 to 1929. His last name was also spelled Wertz.He made his major league debut on April 14, 1926 at the age of 27, approximately a week shy of his 28th birthday...
for Bonnie Hollingsworth
Bonnie Hollingsworth
John Burnette Hollingsworth was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He pitched from 1922-1928.-External links:...
. He played for Buffalo from 1928 to 1930 and the Springfield Ponies in 1931, and the Hartford Senators
Hartford Senators
The Hartford Senators were a minor league baseball team based in Hartford, Connecticut. They operated in the Connecticut League from 1902-1912, the Eastern Association from 1913-1914, the Eastern League from 1916-1932 and the Northeastern League in 1934. For the 1932 season they were affiliated...
from 1931 to 1932.
Basketball
Urban played basketball for Worcester Five of the Inter-State Basketball League in 1921.Coaching career
Urban served as Boston College's head basketball coach during his sophomore, junior and senior seasons.Following his graduation, Urban was offered the position of head football coach at Creighton University
Creighton University
Creighton University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Roman Catholic university located in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1878, the school is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. The university is accredited by...
, but turned down the offer in order to play professional football. From 1921 to 1930, he was the head basketball and football coach at Canisius College
Canisius College
Canisius College is a private Roman Catholic college in Buffalo, New York, United States. The college was founded in 1870 by members of the Society of Jesus from Germany and is named after St. Peter Canisius. The college is one of 28 institutions in the Association of Jesuit Colleges and...
. His football teams had a record of 46–27–7 record, with of his eight clubs having a record of .500 or better. He was the school's winningest football coach until he was passed by Tom Hersey in 1990.
Urban was the head basketball coach at Durfee High School
B.M.C. Durfee High School
B.M.C. Durfee High School is an historic former high school building at 289 Rock Street in Fall River, Massachusetts.The school was built in 1886 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981...
in Fall River, Massachusetts
Fall River, Massachusetts
Fall River is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It is located about south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and west of New Bedford and south of Taunton. The city's population was 88,857 during the 2010 census, making it the tenth largest city in...
from 1940 to 1960. He had a 247–91 record with the Hilltoppers and won two New England championships.
Urban was the manager of the Fall River Indians the of the New England League
New England League
The New England League was a mid-level league in American minor league baseball that played sporadically in five of the six New England states between 1886 and 1949. After 1901, it existed in the shadow of two Major League Baseball clubs in Boston and alongside stronger, higher-classification...
from 1948 to 1950.