Grover Cleveland "Pappy" Washabaugh (September 21, 1892 – March 16, 1973) was an American football and basketball coach. He served as the head football coach at Westminster College from 1937 to 1942, during which time he compiled a 16–26–6 record, and the head basketball coach from 1937 to 1956, during which time he compiled a 296–129 record.Football Media Guide (PDF), p. 42, Westminster College, 2009.
Biography Washabaugh's first coaching experience came at Woodlawn High School in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, where he mentored the basketball team and taught physical education. He then coached at South Hills High School for four years before moving on to South Side High School in Pittsburgh. From 1927 to 1936, he served as South High's head football and basketball coach.Seek South's Coach, The Pittsburgh Press, May 4, 1934. In 1937, he took over as the head basketball and football coach at Westminster College.New Titan Coach Inherits Strong Basketball Squad, The Daily Times, June 4, 1937. Washabaugh also served as the school's athletic director.Titans Give Up Grid Sport, The Pittsburgh Press, August 10, 1943. In August 1943, Westminster College discontinued its football team. It was later revived after World War II for the 1946 season. Washabaugh continued to serve as the basketball coach until 1956 and posted a 296–129 record.Towering Titans & Titan Tradition, Westminster College, retrieved June 18, 2010.
In January 1959, he returned home to Pittsburgh after suffering a mild stroke.Washabaugh Home, The Pittsburgh Press, January 28, 1959. Washabaugh retired in 1961.Rites Monday for Coach Washabaugh; Westminster AD Led Court Teams to 296–129 Record, The Pittsburgh Press, March 17, 1973. He was inducted into the Helms Foundation Hall of Fame and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame. Washabaugh died on March 16, 1973, at Jameson Memorial Hospital in New Castle, Pennsylvania, at the age of 80.GROVER C. WASHABAUGH, The New York Times, March 17, 1973. He was survived by his wife Grace, with whom he had a son and two daughters.
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