John Yovicsin

John Michael Yovicsin (October 17, 1918 – September 13, 1989) was an American football player and coach. He played college football at Gettysburg College from 1937 to 1939 and then professionally with Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL) in 1944. Yovicsin served as the head football coach at Gettysburg College from 1952 to 1956 and at Harvard University from 1957 to 1970, compiling a career record of 110–53–5.

John Yovicsin
Biographical details
Born(1918-10-17)October 17, 1918
Steelton, Pennsylvania
DiedSeptember 13, 1989(1989-09-13) (aged 70)
Barnstable, Massachusetts
Playing career
1937–1939Gettysburg
1944Philadelphia Eagles
Position(s)Defensive end
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1948–1951Gettysburg (assistant)
1952–1956Gettysburg
1957–1970Harvard
Head coaching record
Overall110–53–5
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
3 Ivy (1961, 1966, 1968)

Yovicsin was born in Steelton, Pennsylvania and graduated from Gettysburg College in 1940. He returned to Gettysburg as assistant football coach in 1948 and was the head coach there from 1952 to 1956, tallying a mark of 32–11. During his 14 years at Harvard, Yovicsin amassed a record of 78–42–5. He helmed the Crimson during the famous 1968 Harvard–Yale Game, in which Harvard mounted a late comeback to tie Yale, 29–29. Yovicsin's role as coach is mentioned many times in the documentary Harvard Beats Yale 29-29, where players on both the Harvard and Yale squads talk about his professorial bearing.

Yovicsin died on September 13, 1989 of heart disease in Barnstable, Massachusetts at the age of 70.[1]

Head coaching record
Year Team Overall ConferenceStanding Bowl/playoffs
Gettysburg Bullets () (1952–1956)
1952 Gettysburg 6–3
1953 Gettysburg 8–1
1954 Gettysburg 5–3
1955 Gettysburg 6–2
1956 Gettysburg 7–2
Gettysburg: 32–11
Harvard Crimson (Ivy League) (1957–1970)
1957 Harvard 3–52–57th
1958 Harvard 4–53–46th
1959 Harvard 6–34–33rd
1960 Harvard 5–44–33rd
1961 Harvard 6–36–1T–1st
1962 Harvard 6–35–22nd
1963 Harvard 5–2–24–2–13rd
1964 Harvard 6–35–22nd
1965 Harvard 5–2–23–2–23rd
1966 Harvard 8–16–1T–1st
1967 Harvard 6–34–3T–4th
1968 Harvard 8–0–16–0–1T–1st
1969 Harvard 3–62–5T–5th
1970 Harvard 7–25–2T–2nd
Harvard: 78–42–5
Total:110–53–5
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

References
  1. "John Yovicsin, 70; Coached Football 14 Years at Harvard". The New York Times. Associated Press. September 16, 1989. Retrieved December 26, 2010.

See also
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