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William T. Van de Graaff

1895 – 1977

American football player and coach, college athletics administrator

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About William T. Van de Graaff

Lived 1895 – 1977 (aged 81). William T. Van de Graaff was an American head coach and american football player.

William Travis "Bully" Van de Graaff (October 25, 1895 – April 26, 1977) was an American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator. He attended Tuscaloosa High School. He played college football at the University of Alabama, where he was selected as an All-American in 1915, Alabama's first. He was 6'1" and 187 pounds. "Bully" was placed on an Associated Press Southeast Area All-Time football team 1869-1919 era. Van de Graaff served as the head football coach at Colorado College from 1926 to 1939, compiling a record of 49–54–6. He coached hall of famer Dutch Clark. He died in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on April 26, 1977, at the age of 81. He was the older brother of physicist Robert J. Van de Graaff, the designer of the Van de Graaff generator which produces high voltages. William's two older brothers, Hargrove and Adrian, were also Alabama football players.

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
United States Military Academy, Central High School
Also known as
William Travis Van de Graaff, Bully Van de Graaff

People in William T. Van de Graaff's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped William T. Van de Graaff's

Frequently asked questions

Who was William T. Van de Graaff?

American football player and coach, college athletics administrator (1895-1977)

When was William T. Van de Graaff born?

William T. Van de Graaff was born on 25 October 1895 in Tuscaloosa.

When did William T. Van de Graaff die?

William T. Van de Graaff died on 26 April 1977 in Colorado Springs.

What was William T. Van de Graaff's occupation?

William T. Van de Graaff was a head coach and american football player.

What nationality was William T. Van de Graaff?

William T. Van de Graaff was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: William T. Van de Graaff

· Wikidata: Q8019137

· DBpedia: William T. Van de Graaff

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William T. Van de Graaff. https://biography.guide/william-t-van-de-graaff/

MLA: "William T. Van de Graaff." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-t-van-de-graaff/.

Chicago: "William T. Van de Graaff." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-t-van-de-graaff/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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