Member Biography

"Football is a Spartan game in which youth, spirit and condition count heavily." Thus spoke Colonel Earl "Red" Blaik, U.S. Cavalry, Retired, and developer of some of the greatest teams in Dartmouth and Army history. His accent on youth, strategy and building from the ground up were themes from his own experience. A four-year player at Miami of Ohio, Blaik also played end for two seasons at West Point, making third-team All-America. Following service in the cavalry, Blaik worked in a Dayton, Ohio construction business before deciding to become a full-time coach. He served a year as assistant to George Little at Wisconsin, 1933, seven years at Dartmouth, 1934-40 and 18 years at Army 1941-58. His teams had unbeaten streaks at Dartmouth, 22 games in 1934-37, and at Army, 32 games in 1944-47. He coached 12 Hall of Fame players--one (Bob MacLeod) at Dartmouth, 11 at Army. He coached three Heisman winners--Glenn Davis, Doc Blanchard, and Pete Dawkins at Army. Blaik was named Coach of the Year in 1946 and finished with a record of 166- 48-14. After his coaching career ended, he became a vice- president with Avco Corporation. He wrote, with Tim Cohane, a book, "You Have to Pay the Price." Blaik wrote a syndicated newspaper column, published twice a week in football season, and donated the proceeds to establish graduate scholarships for football players. This program was administered by the National Football Foundation. He received to Foundation's Gold Medal in 1966. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Reagan in 1986. Blaik was born Feb. 15, 1897 in Detroit, MI and died May 6, 1989 in Coloardo Springs, CO.