 Oosterbaan pictured in the 1948 edition of Michiganensian, University of Michigan yearbook | |
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 24, 1906 Muskegon, Michigan, U.S. |
| Died | October 25, 1990 (aged 84) Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| Football | |
| 1925–1927 | Michigan |
| Basketball | |
| 1925–1928 | Michigan |
| Baseball | |
| 1927 | Michigan |
| Position(s) | End (football) Forward (basketball) First baseman, pitcher (baseball) |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| Football | |
| 1928–1947 | Michigan (assistant) |
| 1948–1958 | Michigan |
| Basketball | |
| 1928–1938 | Michigan (assistant) |
| 1938–1946 | Michigan |
| Baseball | |
| ? | Michigan (freshman) |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 63–33–4 (football) 81–72 (basketball) |
| Bowls | 1–0 |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| Football National (1948) 3× Big Ten (1948–1950) | |
| Awards | |
Football:
Basketball:
Baseball: | |
| College Football Hall of Fame Inducted in 1954 (profile) | |
Benjamin Oosterbaan (/ˈoʊstərbɑːn/ OH-stər-bahn; February 24, 1906 – October 25, 1990) was an American football end and head coach for the University of Michigan. He was a three-time All-American college football player, a two-time All-American basketball player, and an All-Big Ten Conference baseball player for the Michigan Wolverines. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players in Michigan history. He was selected by Sports Illustrated as the fourth greatest athlete in the history of the U.S. state of Michigan in 2003, and one of the eleven greatest college football players of the first century of the game (ending in 1968). As a head coach Oosterbaan won a national championship with the 1948 Michigan Wolverines football team, by way of the Associated Press.
In high school, he had been an All-American basketball player, a state champion in track and field, and an All-State baseball and football player. During his collegiate athletic career he was a Big Ten batting champion in baseball, the Big Ten scoring champion in basketball, and the Big Ten touchdown leader in football. He was the first University of Michigan athlete to become a first-team All-American in basketball and was the first three-time first-team All-American in football. In addition to his All-American collegiate accolades, Oosterbaan threw three touchdown passes in the dedication game of Michigan Stadium on October 22, 1927.[1]
After his playing career ended, Oosterbaan spent several decades working for the University of Michigan Athletic Department until the 1970s. Oosterbaan served as the football, basketball, and baseball coach for Michigan. As well as winning a national championship in football, his 1950 football team won the 1951 Rose Bowl. He later served as the director of athletic alumni relations.
- ^ "The Michigan Stadium Story". Bentley Historical Library - University of Michigan.