Alured Ransom

Alured Chaffee "Slim" Ransom (November 12, 1908^[1]-January 13, 1992^[2]) was a sports educator from the United States who helped develop physical education programs in Afghanistan. While in the US, he was a college football and basketball coach, coaching from 1941 until 1954. His career football coaching record was 30 wins, 41 losses, and 2 ties with a winning percentage of .411. He also spent some time coaching^[3] and as an athletic director^[4] at the high school level.

International impact

Ransom was selected by the Asia Foundation to help develop physical education programs in Afghanistan for secondary schools and colleges. His work as an advisor to the minister of education in Afghanistan went for two years and included advising schools in the creation of facilities and preparation of instructors.^[5]

Playing career

Ransom was a graduate of and played football for Geneva College,^[6] where he earned 12 varsity letters. While at Geneva, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Education. In 1939 he earned a Master of Education from the University of Pittsburgh.

Coaching career

Geneva

Prior to coaching at Dickinson, Ransom was the 19th head football coach for the Geneva College Golden Tornadoes located in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania and he held that position for four seasons, for the 1941 season, and then returned for 1946 until 1948. His coaching record at Geneva was 20 wins, 12 losses, and 2 ties. As of completion of the 2007 season, this ranks him eighth at Geneva in total wins and tenth at Geneva in winning percentage (.618).^[7] Geneva awarded a "Distinguished Service Award" to him in 1982.^[8] His coaching was interrupted by World War II and his military service (see entry below).

Washington & Jefferson

Ransom also coached at Washington & Jefferson College for 1950 and 1951, posting a losing record of 3 wins and 11 losses, with the 1950 season showing a winless 0-8 record.^[9]

Dickinson

Ransom was the 27th head football coach for the Dickinson College Red Devils in Carlisle, Pennsylvania and he held that position for three seasons, from 1952 until 1954.^[10] His overall coaching record at Dickinson was 8 wins, 17 losses, and 0 ties.^[11] This ranks him 13th at Dickinson in terms of total wins and 24th at Dickinson in terms of winning percentage.^[12] He also was the basketball coach at Dickinson from 1953 through 1955, accumulating a 21-35 record.^[13]

Military service

Ransom served in the United States Navy as a Lieutenant Commander aboard the USS Bataan as a gunnery officer. He saw action during World War II while in the Navy from 1942 until 1946.^[14]

Head coaching record

References