The University of Akron Athletics
Hall of Fame
Arthur E. Bailey
- Induction:
- 1978
- Class:
- 1960
1952, 1956-58
Back
When the subject of Akron football of the late 1950s comes up, Art Bailey’s name quickly comes to mind. The 5-10, 175-lb. speedster from Copley first put on the blue and gold in the 1952 season under Hall of Famer Kenneth “Red” Cochrane. He saw most of his action in the Zip defensive secondary but before the season’s end, he was selected to the offense.
His football career was interrupted at this juncture by three in the U.S. Army. Bailey returned to the UA campus in 1956 and played three seasons under head coach Joe McMullen.
Despite a slow start in which he gained only 254 yards in that 1956 season, Bailey was voted UA’s Most Outstanding Back. It was an honor he also earned his last two seasons.
His junior campaign proved to be Bailey’s best. While helping UA to an excellent 7-1-1 season, he rushed for 802 yards in 165 carries for an all-time single season rushing mark. He established three more school record by scoring 30 points in the Zips 48-14 victory over Denison and 13 touchdowns and tallying 96 points.
In 1958, Bailey continued to run well and helped UA to another winning record, six wins, two losses and a tie. He led all Zip backs with 650 yards and in scoring with 54 points.
By this time, Bailey, who had picked up the nickname “Flash,” had surpassed a whole host of UA standards—eight to be exact. His 1755 yards and 410 carries were two of those marks as were his 170 points and 27 touchdowns. Bailey not only picked up four letters in football but also found to letter three years 1956, 1957, and 1958 under the Hall of Fame coach Tommy Evans as a sprinter and relay man.
Back
When the subject of Akron football of the late 1950s comes up, Art Bailey’s name quickly comes to mind. The 5-10, 175-lb. speedster from Copley first put on the blue and gold in the 1952 season under Hall of Famer Kenneth “Red” Cochrane. He saw most of his action in the Zip defensive secondary but before the season’s end, he was selected to the offense.
His football career was interrupted at this juncture by three in the U.S. Army. Bailey returned to the UA campus in 1956 and played three seasons under head coach Joe McMullen.
Despite a slow start in which he gained only 254 yards in that 1956 season, Bailey was voted UA’s Most Outstanding Back. It was an honor he also earned his last two seasons.
His junior campaign proved to be Bailey’s best. While helping UA to an excellent 7-1-1 season, he rushed for 802 yards in 165 carries for an all-time single season rushing mark. He established three more school record by scoring 30 points in the Zips 48-14 victory over Denison and 13 touchdowns and tallying 96 points.
In 1958, Bailey continued to run well and helped UA to another winning record, six wins, two losses and a tie. He led all Zip backs with 650 yards and in scoring with 54 points.
By this time, Bailey, who had picked up the nickname “Flash,” had surpassed a whole host of UA standards—eight to be exact. His 1755 yards and 410 carries were two of those marks as were his 170 points and 27 touchdowns. Bailey not only picked up four letters in football but also found to letter three years 1956, 1957, and 1958 under the Hall of Fame coach Tommy Evans as a sprinter and relay man.
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