Alonzo Sheck Shealy
Alonzo Sheck Shealy
A member of Clemson's first football team in 1896, Alonzo Sheck Shealy was the fifth head coach of the Tigers, leading them for one season in 1904. Shealy served as team captain in 1898. ("A Resume of the Last Football Season and the Prospects for Another Season", The Clemson College Chronicle, June 1899, Volume II, Number 9, page 432.)
Biography
Shealy was born June 1, 1874, at Etheridge, South Carolina, in what is now known as Saluda County (formerly part of Edgefield County). His father, J. Edward Shealy, was a well-to-do planter of Edgefield, his mother was Miss Frances Linder, of Lexington. Attended public schools of this County until February, 1894, when he entered Clemson, in June 1894; graduated 1899- B.S.
"He decided to take the agricultural course and has pursued it to a successful completion. He has been honored with the highest office in the corps, being appointed Senior Captain in February, 1898. He has been president of the Columbian Society, was captain of the '98 foot ball [sic] team, holding the position of left end in a manner that left nothing to be desired.
"After graduation Mr. Shealy expects to make a specialty of Veterinary Science.
"Characteristic: A fondness for, but extreme diffidence toward the fair sex."
("Class History", The Clemson College Chronicle, June 1899, Volume II, Number 9, page 422.)("A Resume of the Last Football Season and the Prospects for Another Season", The Clemson College Chronicle, June 1899, Volume II, Number 9, page 430.)
"Shealy's record as a captain is only excelled by his achievements as a player. The very incarnation of enthusiasm and loyalty, a strict disciplinarian,, a tactful worker with his men, he combined all the essentials that go to make up a leader." ("A Resume of the Last Football Season and the Prospects for Another Season", The Clemson College Chronicle, June 1899, Volume II, Number 9, page 432.)
Entered Iowa State College at Ames, March 1900- taking degree Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, June 1903; at Clemson as Assistant Veterinarian in 1904 - (The Oconeean, Volume Two, 1904, page 19). Played four years as a Tiger, and two more years for Iowa State. He was hired in the fall of 1904 to replace Coach John Heisman who had accepted Georgia Tech's offer to become head of athletics at the institute in November 1903. He holds the distinction of being the only Clemson player to have been head coach at his alma mater. Shealy coached Clemson one year and guided the Tigers to a 3-3-1 record overall, which included wins over Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee, giving him a .500 winning percentage.
| Preceded by: John Heisman | Clemson University Football Coaches | Succeeded by: Ed Cochems |
