Bill Hargiss at Kansas State Normal, 1920
Emporia, KS
[KSN was renamed Kansas State Teacher's College (KSTC) in 1923 and is today Emporia State University.]

"Hargiss is coming back."

This news brought a resurgence of football enthusiasm to the Kansas State Normal campus in 1920. And shortly after football practice started, the announcement was made that Arthur Schabinger, who had devastated opponents with his amazing passing while playing under Hargiss at C. of E., had been hired to assist his old mentor. There was a big rebuilding job to do, but this was Hargiss' specialty, and with "Schabie" helping him, K.S.N. would soon be fielding championship football teams again.

The thirteen gridiron teams he fielded won 61 games, lost only 23, and tied 12. Three of his teams went undefeated, one was undefeated and untied, and one never had its goal line crossed.

The 1926 team was one of the greatest. It won the Kansas Conference championship, was undefeated and untied, its goal line was never crossed and it scored 144 points to the opponents' three. The team placed six men on the all-conference team and two on the all-state eleven.

Football record:

His track teams were phenomenal winners. Hargiss thinks track is ideal for the individual to develop on his own. His teams won seven state track championships during his two periods of coaching.  While at KSN, he coached John Kuck, who won collegiate titles in the shot put and javelin throw, winning Olympic gold in the shot put in 1928, and Earl McKown, a two-time national collegiate champion in the pole vault.

Hargiss achievements as a coach at the Normal include state track championships in 1915, '16, '17, '22, '23,' 25, and '26, and conference football titles in '15, '16, and '26, and a tie for top honors in '27.

Articles:

Athlete Jack Reeves  Football player dies from broken neck

Football 1920  Article and team picture

Track and basketball 1921  team photos of track, football, and basketball

Sunflower 1921  KSN's Yearbook dedicated to Bill Hargiss

Athlete Don Davis  Football player dies of complications

Football 1921-25  Recap of each season

Football 1926-27  Recap of 1927 football - For 1926 extraordinary season see below link

Native of KS  1925 article with Hargiss' history

ESU's 100 years  1963 article reviewing 100 Years at ESU

Teachers beat preachers  Article about the fierce cross town rivalry

The Hargiss All-Stars - outstanding KSN grid stars 1900-1930

For more info on the undefeated 1926 Kansas State Teachers College football team please visit:

Undefeated 1926 season  One of the most successful football teams ever

For more on ESU recognition, please visit:

ESU Distinguished Alumni

Emporia Centennial Team

ESU Hall of Honor

Hargiss scholarship fund