 | |
| Profile | |
|---|---|
| Position | Center |
| Personal information | |
| Born | (1864-07-20)July 20, 1864 Union, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Died | April 14, 1945(1945-04-14) (aged 80) Hartford, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight | 185 lb (84 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College |
|
William Herbert "Pa"Corbin (July 20, 1864 – April 14, 1945)[1][2] was an Americancollege football player for theYale Bulldogs football team forYale University from 1886 to 1888, during which time the team posted a 31–0–1 record. He was elected to theCollege Football Hall of Fame in 1969.
Corbin was born inUnion, Connecticut, the son of William Melvin Corbin, a manufacturer and merchant who served in the Connecticut General Assembly, for one session as a representative and then as a state senator, and his wife, née Josephine Walker. He attendedHartford Public High School.[1]
Corbin matriculated at Yale College, where he was on the freshman, sophomore, and university crews, and was captain of the freshman football team, and was on the university football team three years, and in his senior year as captain. Other activities included college hour, and financial manager of theYale Daily News. He was a member of Psi Upsilon andSkull and Bones.[1]
The 1888 Yale Football team, of which he was captain, was undefeated, winning thirteen games and tallying 698 points while holding their opponents scoreless.[3] His interest in Yale football continued after graduation at practice session and games at theYale Bowl; he became known to undergraduates as "Pa" Corbin.[2] Former teammatePudge Heffelfinger explained "Pa Corbin's long face and handlebar mustache gave him a majestic air, and made him look much older than his 24 years."[4]
Corbin described how a center used to snap the ball with his foot: "By standing the ball on end and exercising a certain pressure on the same, it was possible to have it bound into the quarterback's hands."[5]
He taught atWestminster School atDobbs Ferry for three years following graduation, and then became headmaster of thePingry School from 1892 to 1897.[2][6]
He served as Connecticut State Tax Commissioner from 1907 until his retirement in 1920.[2][7]
Corbin died in 1945 a month after he was struck by an automobile in Hartford, Connecticut.[8]