Gordon Locke
Encyclopedia
Gordon C. Locke was an American football
player and coach in the United States
. He played college football
at the University of Iowa
, where he was a two-time All-American
. Locke served as the head football coach at Western Reserve University—now a part of Case Western Reserve University
—from 1926 to 1930, compiling a record of 15–20–1. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame
as a player in 1960.
. He enrolled at University of Iowa
in 1919 and played for the Hawkeye football team
from 1920 to 1922. Locke, a fullback
and defensive back
, was the power back for the Hawkeyes while quarterback
Aubrey Devine
, used speed to rush to the outside. In Locke's sophomore season in 1920, Iowa started the year with a 2–2 record. Locke did not lose another game as Hawkeye.
Locke and Devine each scored two touchdowns as Iowa defeated Minnesota in 1920, 28–7. It was Iowa's third straight win over the Gophers and the first time that Minnesota had been defeated three years in a row by a single opponent.
The following year in 1921, Iowa faced Notre Dame
, coached by Knute Rockne
, in the second game of the season. It was Iowa's first meeting with Notre Dame. The Irish had not lost a game since 1918, a span of 20 straight wins. Locke helped move Iowa to Notre Dame's two-yard line, where it was fourth down. Duke Slater
missed a rare block, and Locke was met by Notre Dame lineman Heartley Anderson
. Locke powered Anderson over the goal line for Iowa's only touchdown of the game. Locke's touchdown coupled with a Devine field goal gave Iowa the 10–7 upset.
Locke's next game was his best of the 1921 season. He carried the ball 37 times and gained a school-record 202 yards rushing in a 14–2 victory over Illinois
. Locke scored both Iowa touchdowns. However, he was soon hospitalized with stomach problems, which hampered his effectiveness the rest of the year. Still, Locke finished the 1921 season with over 700 rushing yards and finished second in the Big Ten Conference
scoring race to teammate, Aubrey Devine. Iowa posted a perfect 7–0 record in 1921 and won its first Big Ten title in 21 years. Locke was a consensus first team All-Big Ten selection and a first team All-American in 1921
.
, and Duke Slater
all graduated after the 1921 season. Locke returned to the defending Big Ten champions and was named the team captain of the 1922 Hawkeyes squad
.
Locke did not score a point in Iowa's most impressive win of the year. Iowa traveled east to play Yale
, who had never lost to a team from the "West". The Hawkeyes defeated the Bulldogs, 6–0, on a touchdown run by Leland Parkin, who succeeded Devine at quarterback. Iowa's victory made headlines from coast to coast. So significant and important was the game that the Sunday Chicago Tribune
bannered the front page of its general news sections with "IOWA ELEVEN SMASHES YALE."
Weary from the long train ride back to Iowa City
, Iowa survived a contest with Illinois, winning 8–7. Locke scored Iowa's only touchdown in the game. The following week, he scored two touchdowns as Iowa handed Purdue
a 56–0 loss, still the largest defeat in Purdue history. Locke then scored three touchdowns in the first half as Iowa defeated Minnesota for the fifth consecutive time, 28–14.
In Iowa's first-ever meeting with Ohio State
, Locke rushed for 126 yards and returned three kicks for 91 yards as Iowa defeated the Buckeyes in Columbus
, 12–9. He also scored both of Iowa's touchdowns. In Locke's final collegiate game against Northwestern
, he scored four touchdowns for the third time in his career, leading Iowa to a 37–3 victory. The win clinched another Big Ten title and another undefeated 7–0 record for the Hawkeyes. It is the only time in school history that the Hawkeyes have won consecutive conference titles.
With Devine gone, Locke not only led Iowa in scoring with 96 points, but the 72 points scored by Locke in Big Ten play in 1922 was a conference record that stood for 21 years. Locke was not only a first team All-Big Ten selection, he was also a consensus first team All-American, the third at Iowa after his former teammates Belding and Devine.
Locke had over 400 carries in his career. Iowa had a 19–2 record in his three years with the Hawks and were on a 17-game winning streak when he graduated. The streak was be snapped at 20 games in 1923, the longest winning streak in school history. Locke played for the only two undefeated and untied teams in Iowa history (1921 and 1922), and he was a first team All-American both seasons.
Locke was also an accomplished student, earning the Big Ten Medal for scholastic and athletic achievement his senior year. He also attended law school at the University of Iowa College of Law
, graduating in the top three of his law school class.
, where he was associated with a prominent law firm. He coached football at Western Reserve University
in Cleveland from 1926 to 1930, compiling a 15–20–1 record, and he later served as general assistant law director for the city of Cleveland. Later, he worked in Washington, D.C.
as general counsel for the Committee for Oil Pipe Lines.
in 1958 and the College Football Hall of Fame
in 1960. In 1989, Iowa fans selected an all-time Hawkeyes football team during the 100th anniversary celebration of Iowa football, and Locke was selected to the defensive backfield. In 1999, Sports Illustrated
selected Gordon Locke as the 20th greatest sports figure in the history of the state of Iowa.
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...
. He played 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...
at the University of Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
, where he was a two-time All-American
College Football All-America Team
The College Football All-America Team is an honor given annually to the best American college football players at their respective positions. The original usage of the term All-America seems to have been to the 1889 College Football All-America Team selected by Casper Whitney and published in This...
. Locke served as the head football coach at Western Reserve University—now a part of Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University is a private research university located in Cleveland, Ohio, USA...
—from 1926 to 1930, compiling a record of 15–20–1. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame
The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...
as a player in 1960.
Early life and playing career
Locke was born in Denison, IowaDenison, Iowa
Denison is a city in Crawford County, Iowa, United States, along the Boyer River. The population was 7,339 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Crawford County.-Geography:Denison is located at ....
. He enrolled at University of Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
in 1919 and played for the Hawkeye football team
Iowa Hawkeyes football
The Iowa Hawkeyes football team is the interscholastic football team at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. The Hawkeyes have competed in the Big Ten Conference since 1900, and are currently a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
from 1920 to 1922. Locke, 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...
and defensive back
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
, was the power back for the Hawkeyes while 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...
Aubrey Devine
Aubrey Devine
Aubrey A. Devine was a college football player for the University of Iowa. He is enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame.-Background:...
, used speed to rush to the outside. In Locke's sophomore season in 1920, Iowa started the year with a 2–2 record. Locke did not lose another game as Hawkeye.
Locke and Devine each scored two touchdowns as Iowa defeated Minnesota in 1920, 28–7. It was Iowa's third straight win over the Gophers and the first time that Minnesota had been defeated three years in a row by a single opponent.
The following year in 1921, Iowa faced Notre Dame
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
, coached by Knute Rockne
Knute Rockne
Knute Kenneth Rockne was an American football player and coach. He is regarded as one of the greatest coaches in college football history...
, in the second game of the season. It was Iowa's first meeting with Notre Dame. The Irish had not lost a game since 1918, a span of 20 straight wins. Locke helped move Iowa to Notre Dame's two-yard line, where it was fourth down. Duke Slater
Duke Slater
Frederick Wayman "Duke" Slater was an American football player and one of the great black players of his era. Slater played for the University of Iowa in college and played professionally for ten years...
missed a rare block, and Locke was met by Notre Dame lineman Heartley Anderson
Heartley Anderson
-External links:* *...
. Locke powered Anderson over the goal line for Iowa's only touchdown of the game. Locke's touchdown coupled with a Devine field goal gave Iowa the 10–7 upset.
Locke's next game was his best of the 1921 season. He carried the ball 37 times and gained a school-record 202 yards rushing in a 14–2 victory over Illinois
Illinois Fighting Illini football
The Illinois Fighting Illini are a major college football program, representing the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. They compete in NCAA Division I-A and the Big Ten Conference.-Current staff:-All-time win/loss/tie record:*563-513-51...
. Locke scored both Iowa touchdowns. However, he was soon hospitalized with stomach problems, which hampered his effectiveness the rest of the year. Still, Locke finished the 1921 season with over 700 rushing yards and finished second in the Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
scoring race to teammate, Aubrey Devine. Iowa posted a perfect 7–0 record in 1921 and won its first Big Ten title in 21 years. Locke was a consensus first team All-Big Ten selection and a first team All-American in 1921
1921 College Football All-America Team
The 1921 College Football All-America team consists of American football players selected to the College Football All-America Teams selected by various organizations in 1921...
.
1922 season
Aubrey Devine, his brother Glenn, Lester BeldingLester Belding
Lester C. Belding was an American athlete and coach in football and track and field. He was the first football player from the University of Iowa to be named an All-American...
, and Duke Slater
Duke Slater
Frederick Wayman "Duke" Slater was an American football player and one of the great black players of his era. Slater played for the University of Iowa in college and played professionally for ten years...
all graduated after the 1921 season. Locke returned to the defending Big Ten champions and was named the team captain of the 1922 Hawkeyes squad
1922 Iowa Hawkeyes football team
The 1922 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa in the college football season of 1922. The team was coached by Howard Jones.-Preseason:...
.
Locke did not score a point in Iowa's most impressive win of the year. Iowa traveled east to play Yale
Yale Bulldogs football
The Yale Bulldogs football program represents Yale University in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision . Yale's football program is one of the oldest in the world, having begun competing in the sport in 1872...
, who had never lost to a team from the "West". The Hawkeyes defeated the Bulldogs, 6–0, on a touchdown run by Leland Parkin, who succeeded Devine at quarterback. Iowa's victory made headlines from coast to coast. So significant and important was the game that the Sunday Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
bannered the front page of its general news sections with "IOWA ELEVEN SMASHES YALE."
Weary from the long train ride back to Iowa City
Iowa City, Iowa
Iowa City is a city in Johnson County, State of Iowa. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a total population of about 67,862, making it the sixth-largest city in the state. Iowa City is the county seat of Johnson County and home to the University of Iowa...
, Iowa survived a contest with Illinois, winning 8–7. Locke scored Iowa's only touchdown in the game. The following week, he scored two touchdowns as Iowa handed Purdue
Purdue Boilermakers football
The Purdue Boilermakers football team is the intercollegiate football program of the Purdue University Boilermakers. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I Bowl Subdivision, and the team competes in the Big Ten Conference. The Boilermakers have an all-time record of...
a 56–0 loss, still the largest defeat in Purdue history. Locke then scored three touchdowns in the first half as Iowa defeated Minnesota for the fifth consecutive time, 28–14.
In Iowa's first-ever meeting with Ohio State
Ohio State Buckeyes football
The Ohio State Buckeyes football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports team of The Ohio State University. The team is a member of the Big Ten Conference of the NCAA, playing at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly Division I-A, level. The team nickname is derived from the state...
, Locke rushed for 126 yards and returned three kicks for 91 yards as Iowa defeated the Buckeyes in Columbus
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
, 12–9. He also scored both of Iowa's touchdowns. In Locke's final collegiate game against Northwestern
Northwestern Wildcats football
The Northwestern Wildcats football team, representing Northwestern University, is a NCAA Division I team and member of the Big Ten Conference, with evidence of organization in 1876...
, he scored four touchdowns for the third time in his career, leading Iowa to a 37–3 victory. The win clinched another Big Ten title and another undefeated 7–0 record for the Hawkeyes. It is the only time in school history that the Hawkeyes have won consecutive conference titles.
With Devine gone, Locke not only led Iowa in scoring with 96 points, but the 72 points scored by Locke in Big Ten play in 1922 was a conference record that stood for 21 years. Locke was not only a first team All-Big Ten selection, he was also a consensus first team All-American, the third at Iowa after his former teammates Belding and Devine.
Locke had over 400 carries in his career. Iowa had a 19–2 record in his three years with the Hawks and were on a 17-game winning streak when he graduated. The streak was be snapped at 20 games in 1923, the longest winning streak in school history. Locke played for the only two undefeated and untied teams in Iowa history (1921 and 1922), and he was a first team All-American both seasons.
Locke was also an accomplished student, earning the Big Ten Medal for scholastic and athletic achievement his senior year. He also attended law school at the University of Iowa College of Law
University of Iowa College of Law
The University of Iowa College of Law is one of the eleven professional graduate schools at the University of Iowa, located in Iowa City, Iowa. Founded in 1865, it is the oldest law school in continuous operation west of the Mississippi River. The law school was ranked as the 27th best law school...
, graduating in the top three of his law school class.
Coaching career and legal practice
Locke served as an assistant football coach at Iowa briefly, then moved on to Cleveland, OhioCleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
, where he was associated with a prominent law firm. He coached football at Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University is a private research university located in Cleveland, Ohio, USA...
in Cleveland from 1926 to 1930, compiling a 15–20–1 record, and he later served as general assistant law director for the city of Cleveland. Later, he worked 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....
as general counsel for the Committee for Oil Pipe Lines.
Death and honors
Locke died in Washington, D.C. at the age of 71. He was inducted into the Iowa Sports Hall of FameIowa Sports Hall of Fame
The Iowa Sports Hall of Fame, sponsored by the Des Moines Register, honors outstanding athletes and sports contributors. To be eligible, members must have either been born in Iowa or gained prominence while competing for a college or university in Iowa....
in 1958 and the College Football Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame
The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...
in 1960. In 1989, Iowa fans selected an all-time Hawkeyes football team during the 100th anniversary celebration of Iowa football, and Locke was selected to the defensive backfield. In 1999, Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
selected Gordon Locke as the 20th greatest sports figure in the history of the state of Iowa.
Head coaching record
Sources
- University of Iowa Football, by Chuck Bright (ISBN 0-87397-233-3)
- Hawkeye Legends, Lists, & Lore, by Mike Finn & Chad Leistikow (ISBN 1-57167-178-1)