James B. Craig
Encyclopedia
James B. "Jimmy" Craig was an All American
football
halfback
and quarterback
who played with the University of Michigan
Wolverines
from 1911 to 1913. He was named an All-American in 1913. He also served as the athletic director and head football coach at the University of Arkansas
from 1919 to 1920.
. He was the son of William Craig, born in 1856, and Alice Craig, born in 1867. At the time of the 1900 U.S. Census, the Craig family was living at 136 Charlotte Avenue in Detroit. The family at that time consisted of William, identified as a capitalist, Alice, and sons Ralph (born 1889), James (born 1893), and William (born 1896).
in March 1911, Craig broke the world indoor record running the 49 yards (44.8 m) high hurdles in 5 1–5 seconds. And in 1912, Craig won the low hurdles competition in the 1912 Eastern Inter-Collegiate Athletic Association. Craig's older brother, Ralph Craig
, was also a track star at the University of Michigan who went on to win the gold medals in the 100 and 200-meter events at the 1912 Olympics
in Stockholm, Sweden.
Craig debuted with the Michigan Wolverines football team in 1911, playing games at both quarterback and halfback. In October 1911, Coach Fielding H. Yost worked with Craig as a quarterback. Yost reported in early October that he was attaining considerable success with Craig, but he was "far from being a finished performer." Yost noted that Craig was diligent and he "runs the team fast and uses his brains in directing plays."
The Wolverines finished the 1911 season with a 5–1–2 record. They started the season with convincing wins against and Case Institute of Technology
, 24–0, Michigan Agricultural College
, and Ohio State
, 19–0, and narrowly beat Vanderbilt
, 9–8. After starting the season 4–0, the Wolverines went 1–1–2 in their final four games, including a loss to Cornell
and ties with Syracuse
and Nebraska
.
In the Syracuse game, Craig suffered an injury to his ribs (believed to be torn cartilage) after being "fiercely tackled" and was expected to be unable to play "for an indefinite period."
Despite the rib injury, Craig came back to lead the Wolverines to an 11–9 win over Pennsylvania two weeks later. News accounts at the time reported that the "craftiness of Coach Yost and the speed of 'Jimmy' Craig" led Michigan to the win in an icy blizzard at Ferry Field
. Late in the game, Craig scored the winning touchdown on a "double pass." In one of Yost's "trick plays," Michigan's "interference started to the right," and the ball was then shot to Craig, waiting far to the left. Craig dodged two tacklers, and sprinted 26 yards (23.8 m) for a touchdown. The New York Times
and referred to Craig as "Michigan"s offensive and defensive hero" in a "clean, snappy, spectacular, thrilling" game.
After the strong start, Michigan lost two of three games to Syracuse (18–7) and Pennsylvania (27–21). In the final game of the season, Michigan beat Cornell, 13–7, with the help of "speed merchant" Jimmy Craig.
At the end of the season, Craig won numerous accolades for his strong performance:
Whatever the reason, Craig's decision was the subject of extensive attention. A wire service report in August 1913 suggested that as long as Craig stuck to his decision to give up football, every conversation would turn to his "holdout stunt." The report also noted: "If the...football star really needs the time he might devote to football for his studies it is a pity. He will hardly gain all the time he hopes by quitting, for much of it will be taken up by the persistence of the well-wishers of the football team. And, moreover, in the end he is almost certain to give way."
The pressure on Craig intensified when Michigan lost to Michigan Agricultural College for the first time in the school's history. After a 55–7 drubbing in 1912, the Aggies beat Michigan, 12–7, in 1913. Less than a week after the loss, Craig announced he would return. The New York Times
reported: "There was joy in the Michigan football camp this afternoon when Jimmy Craig, star halfback on the 1911 and 1912 Michigan football eleven, appeared in uniform and joined his teammates in practice...Michigan's defeat by M.A.C. last Saturday and urgent pleading by the entire student body, however, induced him to re-enter the game to-day."
. Craig scored a touchdown soon after the game started and added three more in the second period. "Jimmy Craig, playing his first game of the season, was the mighty power behind Michigan’s offense. Time after time, for two periods, he dashed around the ends or battered between the tackles." The New York Times
and The Washington Post
referred to Michigan as "a savage offense, the product of a desperate eleven," and noted that the Syracuse line "melted against a whirlwind attack."
In the final two games, Craig and the Wolverines had convincing wins against Cornell (17–0) and Pennsylvania (13–0) to finish the year 6–1.
Yost referred to the 1913 football team as "the best I ever coached." At a "smoker" in the team's honor, Coach Yost presented Craig with the prized Heston-Schulz Cup given to the team's most valuable player as selected by Yost, Germany Schulz
, and the team trainer.
Craig was also chosen by Walter Camp
as an All-American in 1913. While Harvard's Charles Brickley
was chosen for other All-American teams, Yost publicly proclaimed Craig as the best all around back in the country. Yost said: "Craig hits his man as hard as any player in the country and is one of the surest tacklers I have ever seen. When he hits a runner around the knees he throws him with such a jar that it usually takes all the spice out of him for the rest of the afternoon. Craig, although he weighs but 160 pounds, is also a better blocker than Brickley. In intercepting forward passes I have never seen his equal, and what he can do in shooting through quick openings in the line and circling ends need not be dwelt upon. As far as scoring points goes, Brickley's toe makes him more valuable, but otherwise I wouldn't trade Craig for Brickley or any other back in the country. Craig played wonderful football this year and was far better than last season or 1911."
In 1929, former Michigan head coach and then University of Wisconsin–Madison
athletic director, George Little spoke of Craig as an example of a team player. Little told how, at the end of the 1913 football season, after Craig had been named by Walter Camp
as an All-American, Craig went to the room of one of his teammates and thanked this player for helping him make the All-American team. Craig said: "I couldn’t have carried the ball if you hadn’t done the blocking." Little said Craig "had ability, was clean in body, possessed an appreciation of the work of others and was not cocky. When you find one man with all these qualities, you may be sure he has everything necessary for success."ref>
Even 20 years after his graduation, Craig was "often mentioned as the last great running back at Ann Arbor."
an independent, boarding school in Pennsylvania.
as the athletic director of the University of Arkansas
. However, on account of Craig’s desire to go into the Army
during World War I
, the University released him from the contract. Craig served for two years as a first lieutenant in the 315th F.A., 80th Division, of the American Expeditionary Force
, including 13 months of service in Europe.
Around Thanksgiving in 1917, seven games were played between inter-service, inter-camp and Western Conference teams. The proceeds were donated to soldier funds. Craig played for the Fort Sheridan team that also included former Michigan stars Albert Benbrook
and Ernest Allmendinger. The Fort Sheridan team played the Great Lakes team on Thanksgiving Day on Stagg Field
in Chicago.
as director of athletics and coach of the football and baseball teams. The football team was 3–4 in Craig's first season as head coach – the first losing season since 1914. Craig served only one year at Arkansas, announcing his resignation in March 1920, effective at the end of the college year.
, west of Ann Arbor. The couple had two children, John (age 9) and Mary (age 7). Craig listed his occupation as farmer.
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...
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...
halfback
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
and 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...
who played with 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...
Wolverines
Michigan Wolverines football
The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
from 1911 to 1913. He was named an All-American in 1913. He also served as the athletic director and head football coach at the University of Arkansas
University of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas is a public, co-educational, land-grant, space-grant, research university. It is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a research university with very high research activity. It is the flagship campus of the University of Arkansas System and is located in...
from 1919 to 1920.
Early years
Craig was born in March 1893 in Detroit, MichiganDetroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
. He was the son of William Craig, born in 1856, and Alice Craig, born in 1867. At the time of the 1900 U.S. Census, the Craig family was living at 136 Charlotte Avenue in Detroit. The family at that time consisted of William, identified as a capitalist, Alice, and sons Ralph (born 1889), James (born 1893), and William (born 1896).
The Craig brothers: track champions
Before Craig ever played a down for the Wolverines, he established himself as one of the top hurdlers in the country. In a meet against CornellCornell Big Red
The Cornell Big Red is the informal name of the sports teams, and other competitive teams, at Cornell University. The university sponsors 36 varsity sports, as well as numerous intramural and club teams. Cornell participates in NCAA Division I as part of the Ivy League.The men's and women's hockey...
in March 1911, Craig broke the world indoor record running the 49 yards (44.8 m) high hurdles in 5 1–5 seconds. And in 1912, Craig won the low hurdles competition in the 1912 Eastern Inter-Collegiate Athletic Association. Craig's older brother, Ralph Craig
Ralph Craig
Ralph Cook Craig was an American athlete, winner of the sprint double at the 1912 Summer Olympics.Craig was born in Detroit, Michigan. Initially a hurdler, he developed into a sprinter at the University of Michigan...
, was also a track star at the University of Michigan who went on to win the gold medals in the 100 and 200-meter events at the 1912 Olympics
1912 Summer Olympics
The 1912 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the V Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Stockholm, Sweden, between 5 May and 27 July 1912. Twenty-eight nations and 2,407 competitors, including 48 women, competed in 102 events in 14 sports...
in Stockholm, Sweden.
The 1911 season
The Wolverines finished the 1911 season with a 5–1–2 record. They started the season with convincing wins against and Case Institute of Technology
Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University is a private research university located in Cleveland, Ohio, USA...
, 24–0, Michigan Agricultural College
Michigan State Spartans football
The Michigan State Spartans football program represents Michigan State University in college football as members of the Big Ten Conference at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level...
, and 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...
, 19–0, and narrowly beat Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt Commodores football
The Vanderbilt Commodores football program is a college football team that represents Vanderbilt University. The team currently competes in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Southeastern Conference...
, 9–8. After starting the season 4–0, the Wolverines went 1–1–2 in their final four games, including a loss to Cornell
Cornell Big Red football
The Cornell Big Red football team represents Cornell University in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Championship Subdivision college football competition as a member of the Ivy League. It is one of the oldest and most storied football programs in the nation...
and ties with Syracuse
Syracuse Orange football
The Syracuse Orange football program is a college football team that represents Syracuse University. The team is a member of the Big East Conference, which is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I conference that is part of the Football Bowl Subdivision...
and Nebraska
Nebraska Cornhuskers football
The Nebraska Cornhuskers represent the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in college football. The program has established itself as a traditional powerhouse, and has the fourth-most all-time victories of any NCAA Division I-A team. Nebraska is one of only six football programs in NCAA Division I-A...
.
In the Syracuse game, Craig suffered an injury to his ribs (believed to be torn cartilage) after being "fiercely tackled" and was expected to be unable to play "for an indefinite period."
Despite the rib injury, Craig came back to lead the Wolverines to an 11–9 win over Pennsylvania two weeks later. News accounts at the time reported that the "craftiness of Coach Yost and the speed of 'Jimmy' Craig" led Michigan to the win in an icy blizzard at Ferry Field
Ferry Field
Ferry Field is a multi-purpose stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It opened in 1906 and was home to the Michigan Wolverines football team prior to the Michigan Stadium opening in 1927. It had a capacity of 46,000....
. Late in the game, Craig scored the winning touchdown on a "double pass." In one of Yost's "trick plays," Michigan's "interference started to the right," and the ball was then shot to Craig, waiting far to the left. Craig dodged two tacklers, and sprinted 26 yards (23.8 m) for a touchdown. The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
and referred to Craig as "Michigan"s offensive and defensive hero" in a "clean, snappy, spectacular, thrilling" game.
The 1912 season
In 1912, the Wolverines again got off to a 3–0 start with convincing wins over Case (34–0), Michigan Agricultural College (55–7), and Ohio State (14–0). After the first three games, the Syracuse Herald noted that "according to all the reports from Ann Arbor, (Craig) is tearing up the opposing lines with ease."After the strong start, Michigan lost two of three games to Syracuse (18–7) and Pennsylvania (27–21). In the final game of the season, Michigan beat Cornell, 13–7, with the help of "speed merchant" Jimmy Craig.
At the end of the season, Craig won numerous accolades for his strong performance:
- Craig was reputed to be "the best foot ball player 'Hurry Up' Yost has had at Michigan since Willie HestonWillie HestonWilliam Martin "Willie" Heston was an American football player and coach. He played halfback at San Jose State University and the University of Michigan. Heston was the head football coach for Drake University in 1905 and North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, now North...
." - "If it wasn’t for Jimmie Craig it is doubtful if Yost would know he had a football team this year. The fleet halfback has been Michigan’s only hero."
- Craig was "as game as a terrier ever tossed into a pit."
- "Jimmy literally climbed off crutches to enter the big games – those with Pennsylvania and Cornell."
- Fielding H. Yost, who was not known to praise his players publicly, said of Craig: "Is Jimmy Craig 'game?' You’ll have to invent a new word, more emphatic than that, when you describe him."
Craig's "holdout stunt" in 1913
In the summer of 1913, Craig shocked the football world when he announced that he would not play football in 1913. There were varying accounts in the press as to the reason for his decision. In initial comments, Craig said he needed to drop athletics or fall behind in his university courses. A second reason given for the decision was a bad knee. A third reason discussed in the press was that Craig decided not to play because he was not selected as captain of the 1913 team. "Craig has never admitted that that was the reason he was out but it is the general accepted belief here that it was so. Craig said he was staying out until the Syracuse game due to a bad knee and too much work in the university."Whatever the reason, Craig's decision was the subject of extensive attention. A wire service report in August 1913 suggested that as long as Craig stuck to his decision to give up football, every conversation would turn to his "holdout stunt." The report also noted: "If the...football star really needs the time he might devote to football for his studies it is a pity. He will hardly gain all the time he hopes by quitting, for much of it will be taken up by the persistence of the well-wishers of the football team. And, moreover, in the end he is almost certain to give way."
The pressure on Craig intensified when Michigan lost to Michigan Agricultural College for the first time in the school's history. After a 55–7 drubbing in 1912, the Aggies beat Michigan, 12–7, in 1913. Less than a week after the loss, Craig announced he would return. The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
reported: "There was joy in the Michigan football camp this afternoon when Jimmy Craig, star halfback on the 1911 and 1912 Michigan football eleven, appeared in uniform and joined his teammates in practice...Michigan's defeat by M.A.C. last Saturday and urgent pleading by the entire student body, however, induced him to re-enter the game to-day."
Craig's All-American performance in 1913
Craig's first game back in the lineup was a 43–8 win against SyracuseSyracuse Orange football
The Syracuse Orange football program is a college football team that represents Syracuse University. The team is a member of the Big East Conference, which is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I conference that is part of the Football Bowl Subdivision...
. Craig scored a touchdown soon after the game started and added three more in the second period. "Jimmy Craig, playing his first game of the season, was the mighty power behind Michigan’s offense. Time after time, for two periods, he dashed around the ends or battered between the tackles." The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
and The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
referred to Michigan as "a savage offense, the product of a desperate eleven," and noted that the Syracuse line "melted against a whirlwind attack."
In the final two games, Craig and the Wolverines had convincing wins against Cornell (17–0) and Pennsylvania (13–0) to finish the year 6–1.
Yost referred to the 1913 football team as "the best I ever coached." At a "smoker" in the team's honor, Coach Yost presented Craig with the prized Heston-Schulz Cup given to the team's most valuable player as selected by Yost, Germany Schulz
Germany Schulz
Adolph George "Germany" Schulz was an All-American American football center for the University of Michigan Wolverines from 1904 to 1905 and from 1907 to 1908. While playing at Michigan, Schulz is credited with having invented the spiral snap and with developing the practice of standing behind the...
, and the team trainer.
Craig was also chosen by Walter Camp
Walter Camp
Walter Chauncey Camp was an American football player, coach, and sports writer known as the "Father of American Football". With John Heisman, Amos Alonzo Stagg, Pop Warner, Fielding H. Yost, and George Halas, Camp was one of the most accomplished persons in the early history of American football...
as an All-American in 1913. While Harvard's Charles Brickley
Charles Brickley
Charles Edward Brickley was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the Johns Hopkins University in 1915, at Boston College from 1916 to 1917, and at Fordham University in 1920 with Joseph DuMoe as co-coach, compiling a career college football record of 22–9...
was chosen for other All-American teams, Yost publicly proclaimed Craig as the best all around back in the country. Yost said: "Craig hits his man as hard as any player in the country and is one of the surest tacklers I have ever seen. When he hits a runner around the knees he throws him with such a jar that it usually takes all the spice out of him for the rest of the afternoon. Craig, although he weighs but 160 pounds, is also a better blocker than Brickley. In intercepting forward passes I have never seen his equal, and what he can do in shooting through quick openings in the line and circling ends need not be dwelt upon. As far as scoring points goes, Brickley's toe makes him more valuable, but otherwise I wouldn't trade Craig for Brickley or any other back in the country. Craig played wonderful football this year and was far better than last season or 1911."
In 1929, former Michigan head coach and then University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
athletic director, George Little spoke of Craig as an example of a team player. Little told how, at the end of the 1913 football season, after Craig had been named by Walter Camp
Walter Camp
Walter Chauncey Camp was an American football player, coach, and sports writer known as the "Father of American Football". With John Heisman, Amos Alonzo Stagg, Pop Warner, Fielding H. Yost, and George Halas, Camp was one of the most accomplished persons in the early history of American football...
as an All-American, Craig went to the room of one of his teammates and thanked this player for helping him make the All-American team. Craig said: "I couldn’t have carried the ball if you hadn’t done the blocking." Little said Craig "had ability, was clean in body, possessed an appreciation of the work of others and was not cocky. When you find one man with all these qualities, you may be sure he has everything necessary for success."ref>
Even 20 years after his graduation, Craig was "often mentioned as the last great running back at Ann Arbor."
Later life
Though not on the varsity football coaching staff, Craig was a coach at Michigan in 1914, and in 1915 he coached at Mercersburg AcademyMercersburg Academy
Mercersburg Academy is an independent, coeducational boarding school for grades 9-12 located in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, United States. The school's mission is:...
an independent, boarding school in Pennsylvania.
Yacht racing
In 1916, Craig was appointed fleet captain of the Detroit Boat Club. Craig was described as an "ardent skipper" who won several races in the "catboat" class.Service in World War I
In March 1917, Craig was hired to succeed T. T. McConnellT. T. McConnell
-External links:...
as the athletic director of the University of Arkansas
University of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas is a public, co-educational, land-grant, space-grant, research university. It is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a research university with very high research activity. It is the flagship campus of the University of Arkansas System and is located in...
. However, on account of Craig’s desire to go into the Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
during 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...
, the University released him from the contract. Craig served for two years as a first lieutenant in the 315th F.A., 80th Division, of the American Expeditionary Force
American Expeditionary Force
The American Expeditionary Forces or AEF were the United States Armed Forces sent to Europe in World War I. During the United States campaigns in World War I the AEF fought in France alongside British and French allied forces in the last year of the war, against Imperial German forces...
, including 13 months of service in Europe.
Around Thanksgiving in 1917, seven games were played between inter-service, inter-camp and Western Conference teams. The proceeds were donated to soldier funds. Craig played for the Fort Sheridan team that also included former Michigan stars Albert Benbrook
Albert Benbrook
Albert "Benny" Benbrook was an American football guard who played for the University of Michigan Wolverines from 1908-1910. He was chosen by Walter Camp as an All-American in 1909 and 1910 and was the team’s captain in 1910...
and Ernest Allmendinger. The Fort Sheridan team played the Great Lakes team on Thanksgiving Day on Stagg Field
Stagg Field
Amos Alonzo Stagg Field is the name of two different football fields for the University of Chicago. The earliest Stagg Field is probably best remembered for its role in a landmark scientific achievement by Enrico Fermi during the Manhattan Project. The site of the first nuclear reaction received...
in Chicago.
University of Arkansas athletic director
Craig returned from France in August 1919 and was promptly re-hired by the University of ArkansasUniversity of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas is a public, co-educational, land-grant, space-grant, research university. It is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a research university with very high research activity. It is the flagship campus of the University of Arkansas System and is located in...
as director of athletics and coach of the football and baseball teams. The football team was 3–4 in Craig's first season as head coach – the first losing season since 1914. Craig served only one year at Arkansas, announcing his resignation in March 1920, effective at the end of the college year.
Later years
At the time of the 1930 Census, James B. Craig and his wife Ruth J. Craig were living in Scio Township, MichiganScio Township, Michigan
Scio Township is a civil township of Washtenaw County of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township's population was 15,759...
, west of Ann Arbor. The couple had two children, John (age 9) and Mary (age 7). Craig listed his occupation as farmer.