William E. Dolde, Sr., Class of ‘26
William E. Dolde ’26, has been selected as one of the six inductees in Allegheny College’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
Dolde, a valuable member of the football team who earned four varsity letters, played two years at halfback and two years at quarterback for the Blue and Gold, and was also a four-year member of the basketball squad.
Dolde’s freshman year stands as one of the best in Allegheny’s football history. The 7-1 team in 1923, coached by G. Herbert McCracken (a charter member of the Hall of Fame), tied the school record for most victories in a season.
The record was set in 1899 and tied in 1902, 1913, 1923, 1968, and 1974. The Blue and Gold outscored opponents 144-41 and lost only to West Virginia University, 28-0, that season.
Dolde was also a member of the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity and he received his bachelor of science degree in 1926. Following graduation, Dolde became a teacher and coach at Connellsville, Pa., High School.
While at Connellsville High School, Dolde became very active in many levels of athletics. He served as football coach for 12 years, basketball coach for 18 years, and athletic director for eight years from 1938 through 1946.
He was named to the Decisions Committee of Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) from 1947 through 1950. Further, Dolde served as President of the WPIAL for 15 years and was a member of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Board of Control for 17 years.
In addition, Dolde was serving his school as principal from 1946 through 1966 and was director of secondary education in the school system from 1966 until his retirement in 1969.
