David Morey Letters

Collection

Identifier: MC046

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection contains mostly correspondence to and from Dave Morey and a variety of Bates-related individuals. Although there is also much personal information contained in the letters, much of the conversation is about Morey's time as a coach at Bates and elsewhere, and in planning for reunion events at Bates with former colleagues and players. Of particular note are Morey's letters about his dismissal from Bates (particularly those from 1978), about which he claimed he was never told why he was removed as coach. The Biographical folder also contains numerous clippings about his life and career, and notes on the contents of some of the correspondence in the collection. Also of interest are photocopies of a letter from Connie Mack, owner/manager of the Philadelphia Athletics, from 1913, and some photocopies on the Morey family history in Malden, Massachusetts.

Dates

1923 - 1999

Creator

Morey, David Beale (Person)

Conditions Governing Use

This collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions

The collection is the physical property of Edmund S. Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library. Bates College holds literary rights only for material created by College personnel working on official behalf of the College, or for material which was given to the College with such rights specifically assigned. For all other material, literary rights, including copyright, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. Researchers are responsible for obtaining permission from rights holders for publication or other purposes that exceed fair use.

Biographical Note

David Beale Morey was born in 1889 in Malden, Massachusetts. He became a multi-sport star at Malden (MA) High School, and later played baseball and football at Dartmouth, until graduating in 1913. After college he was signed by the Philadelphia Athletics, a major league baseball team, appearing in two games (as a pitcher) for them in 1913. He would play minor league baseball off-and-on through 1921.

Morey's coaching career began in earnest in the fall of 1914, when he returned to Dartmouth to coach the freshman football team. In 1916 he became the head football coach at Lowell Textile Institute, staying through 1917. From there, he went on to coach football (and occasionally baseball and basketball) at Middlebury College, Auburn University, Fordham University, and Malden High School. At Middlebury in 1923, he led an undermanned team to a 6-6 tie against a powerful Harvard squad, an event that was soon dubbed "The Greatest Athletic Event in the History of Middlebury College."

In 1929 he became head football coach at Bates College, a position he would hold through 1938. Although his overall record was just 28-33-9 at Bates, he became a very popular figure on campus, and also coached baseball and hockey. In 1932, after an unexpected scoreless tie against a vaunted Yale team, he was nicknamed "Dave the Giant Killer" by national sportswriter Grantland Rice. He unexpectedly resigned in 1939 after a shakeup in the athletics department and President Gray informing him that his contract would not be renewed. Morey remained perplexed at his dismissal from Bates for the rest of his life.

His post-Bates years included teaching and coaching stints at the Naval Air Station on Martha's Vineyard, at Marblehead (MA) High School, a return to the Lowell Textile Institute, and at Curry College in Milton, Massachusetts.

After retiring from coaching/teaching, he lived his final years in Martha's Vineyard, and died there in 1986, aged 96.

Extent

0.25 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Contains mostly correspondence to and from Dave Morey, one-time football coach at Bates. There are also clippings on his life and career, as well as some family history and a copy of a letter from Connie Mack, dated 1913.