1963 Western Michigan Broncos football team

1963 Western Michigan Broncos football
ConferenceMid-American Conference
Record2–7 (2–4 MAC)
Head coach
MVPBill Somerville
CaptainAllen Gibbs, Bill Somerville
Home stadiumWaldo Stadium
Seasons
← 1962
1964 →
1963 Mid-American Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Ohio $ 5 1 0 6 4 0
Miami (OH) 4 1 1 5 3 2
Bowling Green 4 2 0 8 2 0
Marshall 3 2 1 5 4 1
Western Michigan 2 4 0 2 7 0
Kent State 1 5 0 3 5 1
Toledo 1 5 0 2 7 0
  • $ – Conference champion

The 1963 Western Michigan Broncos football team represented Western Michigan University in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 1963 NCAA University Division football season. In their seventh and final season under head coach Merle Schlosser, the Broncos compiled a 2–7 record (2–4 against MAC opponents), finished in fifth place in the MAC, and were outscored by their opponents, 201 to 111.[1][2][3] The team played its home games at Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan.[4]

The team's statistical leaders included Ken Barnhill with 668 passing yards, George Archer with 397 rushing yards, and Tom Patterson with 269 receiving yards.[5] Halfback Allen Gibbs and end Bill Somerville were the team captains.[6] End Bill Somerville received the team's most outstanding player award.[7]

At the end of the 1963 season, Schlosser was reportedly hung in effigy twice, and The Holland Evening Sentinel reported that every player had signed a petition seeking his removal.[8] Schlosser was fired as coach on December 28, 1963, and assigned to other duties in the physical education department. The team compiled a record of 28-33-3 in seven seasons under Schlosser.[9]

  1. ^ "Football Records: Annual Results". Western Michigan University. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  2. ^ "Football Records: Year-By-Year Results - 1960 - 69". Western Michigan University. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  3. ^ "1963 Western Michigan Broncos Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  4. ^ "Waldo Stadium". Western Michigan University. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  5. ^ "1963 Western Michigan Broncos Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  6. ^ "Football History: All-Time Captains". Western Michigan University. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  7. ^ "Football History: Team Awards". Western Michigan University. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  8. ^ "Schlosser Under Fire". The Holland Evening Sentinel. December 20, 1963. p. 15.
  9. ^ "Schlosser Fired By Western Michigan". Southern Illioisan. December 27, 1963. p. 18.