Bert Kennedy
Inducted 1974
DR. A.R. “BERT” KENNEDY
1876 – 1969
Inducted – 1974
As a football coach at the University of Kansas, Dr. Albert R. Kennedy became the winningest coach in school history with a 53–9–4 record in seven seasons, a mark that stood for nearly 90 years. Kennedy was a two–year starter for the Jayhawks in 1896–97 and was captain of the 1897 team that posted an 8-2 record. He then transferred to the University of Pennsylvania for two years before forming one of the first-ever professional teams in 1902. Kennedy devised the single–wing offense and quick–kick as the head coach for the undefeated Washburn University team in 1903. He was the head coach at Kansas from 1904–1910 and led the team to winning streaks of 18, 12 and 10 games. In 66 games at Kansas, Kennedy’s teams posted a remarkable 38 shutouts and his 1908 team (9–0–0) won the school’s first conference championship. Kennedy also coached at Haskell Institute in Lawrence, Kansas, for six years, and despite playing the likes of Notre Dame, Texas, Nebraska and others, posted a 32–22–3 record. Kennedy, considered one of the most clever and resourceful coaches ever in Kansas, also devised headgear for a teammate at KU in 1896. He would later spend almost 60 years in Lawrence as a dentist. Born October 24, 1876 – Lawrence (Kennedy Valley), Kansas. Died September, 1969 – Lawrence, KS. Graduated Lawrence (KS) H.S., 1896; DDS University of Pennsylvania