| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1905-08-05)August 5, 1905 Syracuse, New York |
| Died | October 26, 1978(1978-10-26) (aged 73) Melbourne, Australia |
| Playing career | |
| Football | |
| 1928–1930 | Syracuse |
| 1931 | Montreal AAA Winged Wheelers |
| Position | Halfback/Quarterback |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| Football | |
| 1932–1945 | Toronto |
| Men's ice hockey | |
| 1933–1935 | Toronto |
| Men's basketball | |
| 1935–1940 | Toronto |
| Administrative career (AD unless noted) | |
| 1932–1970 | Toronto |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 44–26–2 (.625) (Football) 1–3–0 (.250) (Ice hockey) 22–8 (.733) (Men's basketball) |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| |
Warren Adelbert Stevens (August 6, 1905 – October 26, 1978) was an American-bornCanadian football player and coach who was the first player to throw for a touchdown in theGrey Cup. He was also the first full-time director of athletics at a Canadian university.
Stevens was born inSyracuse, New York in August 6, 1905 to Gordon Warren and Alice Elizabeth Stevens. He attended Eastwood High andCentral Technical High School in Syracuse.[1]
Stevens played three seasons of varsity football, baseball, and basketball atSyracuse University.[2][3][4] His college football career ended when he fractured his skull in a game againstColgate.[5]
In 1931, Stevens enrolled inMcGill University as a graduate student in order to learn aboutice hockey. He was asked by the school's football coach,Frank Shaughnessy to teach his players theforward pass, which was legalized in the Canadian game that year. Shaughnessy introduced him toMontreal AAA Winged Wheelers coach Clary Floran. Stevens won the Winged Wheelers quarterback job, led the team to an undefeated regular season and a 22–0 victory over theintercollegiate championWestern to play in the19th Grey Cup. In that game, Stevens completed a touchdown pass to Kenny Grant – the first in Grey Cup history. Montreal won the game 22–0.[6]
In 1932, Stevens was appointed director of athletics at theUniversity of Toronto.[7] He was the first full-time director of athletics at a Canadian university.[8] He was head coach of theToronto Varsity Blues football from 1932 to 1945, compiling a 44–26–2 and winning threeYates Cups (1932, 1933, and 1936).[9] He also coached theVarsity Blues men's ice hockey team from 1933 to 1935 and the men's basketball team from 1935 to 1940.[10][11] He retired in 1970 and moved toAustralia to be closer to his daughter. He died on October 26, 1978 at his home inMelbourne.[12]