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Alan J. Bovard
Alan J. Bovard came to Michigan Tech in 1947 as its athletic director and department head. Beginning with four varsity and three intramural sports, Bovard expanded the athletic program into eleven varsity and seventeen intramural programs during his tenure. He also coached football for ten years, becoming the first mentor to guide a Tech team to an undefeated season (7-0-0) in 1948. Bovard was also a co-founder of the Huskies Club. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Bovard grew up in Ithaca, New York. He attended the University of Michigan from 1927-1929, where he was an All-Big Ten and All-American selection in football. Receiving his degree in 1930, he embarked on a coaching career that would span the next 25 years. His high school teams won two state class A titles (one each in basketball and football) while two baseball teams went undefeated. Bovard was inducted into the National Football Hall of Fame in 1949 and the Upper Peninsula Hall of Fame in 1976. In addition he was an excellent golfer, winning the men's golf championship at Wyandotte Hills in 1963 and 1966. Bovard passed away in 1983 at the age of 76. |
