The Iowa Pre-Flight Seahawks represented the U.S. Navy pre-flight school at the University of Iowa in the college football seasons of 1942, 1943, and 1944.
| Iowa Pre-Flight Seahawks football |
History[]
The U.S. Navy commissioned pre-flight schools at the University of Georgia, the University of Iowa, the University of North Carolina and Saint Mary's College in 1942. Cadets were given three months of rigorous physical training and instruction in basic aerial navigation and communications. Graduates were sent to basic flight schools and advanced flight training before assignment to the Pacific Fleet.
Athletics and training were emphasized at the schools. It was believed that the rigors of college football were ideal preparation for World War II. Numerous collegiate and professional athletes and coaches were recruited as instructors. They often played on or coached the football team of their respective school. Each team usually played established football powers in their respective region and other service academies.
Iowa Pre-Flight was coached by former Minnesota coach Bernie Bierman in 1942 and went 7-3. The Seahawks were coached by former Missouri coach Don Faurot in 1943 and went 9-1. They finished second in the final Associated Press Poll and were named the service academy national champion. Iowa Pre-Flight was coached by former Auburn coach Jack Meagher in 1944 and went 10-1. They finished sixth in the final Associated Press Poll.
Jim Tatum and Bud Wilkinson both served as assistant coaches for the Seahawks under Faurot. Tatum went on to coach at Oklahoma and Maryland. While at Maryland, Tatum recorded a national championship, three conference championships, and a 73–15–4 record without a single losing season. Wilkinson went on to coach at Oklahoma, where he set an NCAA record with 47 consecutive wins.[1]
Seasons[]
1942[]
| Date | Opponent | City | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 19 | Kansas | Lawrence | Win | 61-0 |
| September 26 | Northwestern | Evanston | Win | 20-12 |
| October 3 | Minnesota | Minneapolis | Win | 7-6 |
| October 10 | Michigan | Ann Arbor | Win | 26-14 |
| October 17 | Notre Dame | South Bend | Loss | 0-28 |
| October 31 | Indiana | Bloomington | Win | 26-6 |
| November 7 | Fort Knox | Louisville | Win | 13-7 |
| November 21 | Nebraska | Iowa City | Win | 46-0 |
| November 28 | Ohio State | Columbus | Loss | 12-41 |
| December 5 | Missouri | Kansas City | Loss | 0-7 |
1943[]
| Date | Opponent | City | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 18 | Illinois | Champaign | Win | 32-18 |
| September 25 | Ohio State | Columbus | Win | 28-13 |
| October 2 | Iowa State | Ames | Win | 33-13 |
| October 9 | Iowa | Iowa City | Win | 25-0 |
| October 16 | Missouri | Kansas City | Win | 21-6 |
| October 30 | Fort Riley | Iowa City | Win | 19-2 |
| November 7 | Marquette | Milwaukee | Win | 46-19 |
| November 13 | Camp Grant | Iowa City | Win | 28-13 |
| November 20 | Notre Dame | South Bend | Loss | 13-14 |
| November 27 | Minnesota | Minneapolis | Win | 32-0 |
1944[]
| Date | Opponent | City | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 16 | Michigan | Ann Arbor | Loss | 7-12 |
| September 23 | Minnesota | Minneapolis | Win | 19-13 |
| September 30 | Olathe | Iowa City | Win | 45-12 |
| October 7 | Second Air Force | Lincoln | Win | 12-6 |
| October 14 | Purdue | West Lafayette | Win | 13-6 |
| October 22 | Fort Warren | Iowa City | Win | 30-0 |
| October 29 | Marquette | Milwaukee | Win | 26-0 |
| November 4 | Tulsa | Tulsa | Win | 47-27 |
| November 11 | Bunker Hill | Iowa City | Win | 33-7 |
| November 18 | Missouri | Columbia | Win | 51-7 |
| November 25 | Iowa | Iowa City | Win | 30-6 |
See also[]
- List of World War II military service football teams
Footnotes[]
- ↑ Gary King, The Forgotten Man of Oklahoma Football: Jim Tatum, Sooner Magazine, University of Oklahoma Foundation, Inc., Spring 2008, retrieved 17 December 2008.
External links[]
- Duckworth, Gregg (1988-09-07), "Iowa Pre-Flight", Voice of the Hawkeyes