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W. C. Raftery

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W. C. Raftery
Raftery pictured in Bomb 1937, Virginia Military Institute yearbook
Biographical details
Born(1887-07-28)July 28, 1887
Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S.
DiedJuly 2, 1965(1965-07-02) (aged 78)
Ashland, Virginia, U.S.
Playing career
Football
1912–1913Washington and Lee
Baseball
c. 1912–1913Washington and Lee
Position(s)Quarterback (football)
Third baseman (baseball)
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1914–1916Washington and Lee (assistant)
1917Washington and Lee
1919–1921Washington and Lee
1927–1936VMI
Basketball
1913–1923Washington and Lee
1913–1914VMI
1922–1934VMI
Baseball
1914VMI
Head coaching record
Overall62–55–5 (football)
68–112 (basketball)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
Football
1 SAIAA (1921)

William Caulfield Raftery (July 28, 1887 – July 2, 1965) was an American football, basketball, and baseball coach. He was the 17th head football coach at Virginia Military Institute (VMI) located in Lexington, Virginia. He held that position for ten seasons, from 1927 until 1936. His career coaching record at VMI was 38–55–5. This ranks him fifth at VMI in total wins and 19th at VMI in winning percentage.[1]

Raftery was born in Worcester, Massachusetts.[2] He studied law at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, where played college football as a quarterback in 1912 and 1913.[3] He entered the pharmaceutical business in Ashland, Virginia in 1948, retiring in 1960. Raftery died on July 2, 1965, at his home in Ashland. He was buried in Lexington, Virginia.[4]

Head coaching record

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Football

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Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Washington and Lee Generals (South Atlantic Intercollegiate Athletic Association) (1917)
1917 Washington and Lee 4–3 2–1 2nd
Washington and Lee Generals (South Atlantic Intercollegiate Athletic Association) (1919–1921)
1919 Washington and Lee 8–1 2–1 5th
1920 Washington and Lee 5–3 3–0 3rd
1921 Washington and Lee 6–3 2–0 1st
Washington and Lee: 24–10 11–4
VMI Keydets (Southern Conference) (1927–1936)
1927 VMI 6–4 2–4 16th
1928 VMI 5–3–2 2–3–1 15th
1929 VMI 8–2 4–2 7th
1930 VMI 3–6 0–5 23rd
1931 VMI 3–6–1 2–4 17th
1932 VMI 2–8 1–4 18th
1933 VMI 2–7–1 2–1–1 4th
1934 VMI 1–8 0–5 10th
1935 VMI 2–7–1 0–3–1 10th
1936 VMI 6–4 5–2 4th
VMI: 38–55–5 18–33–3
Total: 62–55–5
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

[5]

Basketball

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Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
VMI Keydets (Independent) (1913–1914, 1922–1925)
1913–14 VMI 6–6
1922–23 VMI 8–6
1923–24 VMI 9–5
1924–25 VMI 6–5
VMI Keydets (Southern Conference) (1925–1934)
1925–26 VMI 7–8 3–5 13th
1926–27 VMI 3–12 0–7 21st
1927–28 VMI 7–6 5–5 13th
1928–29 VMI 6–7 1–7 22nd
1929–30 VMI 4–10 2–6 17th
1930–31 VMI 4–12 2–8 20th
1931–32 VMI 0–14 0–9 23rd
1932–33 VMI 4–11 2–8 8th
1933–34 VMI 4–10 3–6 7th
VMI: 68–112 18–61
Total: 68–112

[6]

References

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  1. ^ Virginia Military Institute Coaching Records Archived December 31, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ "Read the eBook General register of the members of the Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity, 1850-1920 by Phi Kappa Sigma. 3n online for free (Page 61 of 120)".
  3. ^ "Coach Raftery Is Former Washington And Lee Star Player". The Birmingham News. Birmingham, Alabama. November 11, 1920. p. 16. Retrieved June 24, 2021 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  4. ^ "W. C. Raftery, Ex-Athlete, Coach, Dies". Charleston Daily Mail. Charleston, West Virginia. July 6, 1965. p. 4. Retrieved June 24, 2021 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  5. ^ 2013 VMI Football Fact Book
  6. ^ 2013–14 VMI Basketball Fact Book
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