Gene Derricotte

Infobox NFL player
Name=Gene Derricotte
team=


ImageWidth=
Caption=
status=
import=
Position=HB/PR/KR
number=41
College=Michigan
DateOfBirth=
Birthplace=
DateOfDeath=
Deathplace=
Height_ft=5
Height_in=10
Weight_lbs=178
AFLDraftedYear=
AFLDraftedRound=
AFLDraftedPick=
CFLDraftedYear=
CFLDraftedRound=
CFLDraftedPick=
NFLDraftedYear=
NFLDraftedRound=
NFLDraftedPick=
AFLAllStar=
CFLAllStar=
ProBowls=
Awards=
Honors=Michigan All-time Records Single-season punt return average (1947-) Single-season punt return TDs (1947-) Career punt return TDs (1947-) Single-season interceptions (1946-1949) Career interceptions (1948-1949)
Big Ten All-time Records Single-season punt return TDs (1947-2004)
Retired #s=
Records=
PFR=
DatabaseFootball=
NFL=
CFL=
CBS=
years=
teams=
CFHOF=
CollegeHOF=
PFHOF=
PFHOFYear =

Eugene "Gene" Derricotte (born June 1926) is a former American football player who played with the University of Michigan Wolverines from 1944 to 1948. He was one of the University's first African American athletes in era when NCAA Division I college football was beginning to integrate. Derricotte established school records that still stand as a punt returner for the Michigan Wolverines football team. He also established several short-lived school interceptions records. Derricotte also served as a Tuskegee Airman and later had a successful career in dentistry while continuing to serve in the military.

Early years and college

Derricotte was born in June 1926 and grew up in city-state|Defiance|Ohio, where his father Clarence Cobb ran a shoe repair business. In addition to Eugene, the Derricottes had two other sons, Bruce and Raymond. [cite news|title=Foster Ohio|publisher=Chicago Defender|date=1938-08-06|page=22] Years later, Gene Derricotte would tell a reporter friend of his that he always wondered about his ancestry. He knew his name was French, but he was not able to find out much more about his roots.Richter, 1998] One thing he must have known was that despite living under segregation, other members of the Derricotte family had distinguished themselves as educated professionals. A black newspaper, the Philadelphia Tribune, did a tribute to the family in November 1944, mentioning that Eugene's father was a veteran of World War I where he fought in France before returning to Defiance to open his business, marry and raise a family. Eugene had an uncle (J. Flipper Derricotte) who was an attorney in Washington DC, and an aunt Juliette who had been a dean at Fisk College in Nashville TN before dying tragically after an automobile accident, when the nearby white hospital refused to admit her. (Jason, 1944)

While Eugene (or Gene, as he was often called) would become known for his athletic ability, he was also an excellent student, graduating from Defiance High School as the class valedictorian. (Jason, 1944) Because he was a star athlete, he was awarded a scholarship to attend the University of Michigan. He enrolled in 1944, majoring in chemistry.cite news|title=Michigan's Derricotte is now an Army Private|work=Chicago Defender|date=1945-02-24|page=7] While there, he became the first African-American to play in the offensive backfield for the Michigan Wolverines football program. Derricotte was an immediate contributor as the team's leading ground gainer in 1944.cite news|author=Whoric, Johh H.|title=Sportorials|publisher=The Daily Courier, Connellsville, Pa.|date=1945-03-09] Press reports in 1944 typically referred to his race, identifying him as "freshman negro halfback," [cite news|title=Wildcats Down 20 to 0 at Half of Big Ten Game|publisher=San Antonio Express|date=1944-10-15] the "Negro speedster," [cite news|title=Derricotte to Lead Wolves Against Penn|publisher=The Herald-Press, St.Joseph, Mich.|date=1944-11-02] the "speedy negro freshman," [cite news|title=Lund Will Fill Wiese's Shoes For Wolverines|publisher=The News-Palladium (Benton Harbor, Mich.)|date=1944-10-31] or the "lithe Negro star." [cite news|author=Fischer, Leo|title=Michigan Looks For Bright Season|publisher=The Port Arthur News|date=1946-09-12]

In December 1944, Derricotte was drafted into the United States Army. He was initially assigned as an artillery cannoneer with the 16th Separate Training Battalion in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. [cite news|title=Derricotte In Training|publisher=The Lima News|date=1945-05-23] He later transferred to the Tuskegee Airmen pilot training program in city-state|Tuskegee|Alabama. Derricotte graduated from the program in May 1946. With the war over, he was discharged, and he returned to the University of Michigan to continue his education.cite news|title=Knee Injury Forces Derricotte Out of All Star|work=Chicago Defender|date=1949-08-13|page=14] When he returned from the war in 1946 and resumed his education, he continued to excel in academics as well as sports. He maintained a "B" average and majored in pharmacy. [cite news|title=Michigan's Derricotte Versatile|author=Will Robinson|work=Pittsburgh Courier|date=1947-12-20|page=14] In football, he shared the starting duties at the left halfback position with Bob Chappuis, who went on to All-Big Ten Conference honors in 1946. After starting nine games at left halfback for Fritz Crisler in 1944, [cite web|url=http://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/football/fbteam/1944fbt.htm|title=1944 Football Team|accessdate=2007-12-07|publisher=The Regents of the University of Michigan|date=2007-03-31] Derricotte started five games to Chappuis' four in 1946. [cite web|url=http://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/football/fbteam/1946fbt.htm|title=1946 Football Team|accessdate=2007-12-07|publisher=The Regents of the University of Michigan|date=2007-03-31] In the first game of the 1946 season, Derricotte threw a touchdown pass to Paul White and was described as the "sparkplug of the Michigan running game." [cite news|title=Wolves Rip Hoosiers 21-0, Before 74,600|publisher=The Wisconsin State Journal|date=1946-09-29] Derricotte broke his nose in a scrimmage after the first game and saw limited playing time, which gave Chappuis an opportunity to shine. [cite news|title=Derricotte Injured|publisher=The Oelwein Daily Register|date=1946-10-03]

Derricotte, who wore #41 while a Michigan Wolverine, [cite web|url=http://141.211.39.65/allroster/FMPro|title=Bentley Historical Library -- U of M Football Rosters: Derricotte|publisher=The Regents of the University of Michigan|accessdate=2007-12-07|date=2003-08-25] had an unusual college football career because he began by starting many games, but gradually became more of a return specialist. In 1946, Derricotte also set the school's single-season interceptions record.cite web|url=http://www.mgoblue.com/document_file/fbl-2007spring-records1.pdf|title=Record Book|accessdate=2007-12-27|date=2007|publisher=University of Michigan & Host Interactive] By 1947, Chappuis had become an All-American halfback and Derricotte's only start was one game at quarterback.cite web|url=http://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/football/fbteam/1947fbt.htm|title=1947 Football Team|accessdate=2007-12-07|publisher=The Regents of the University of Michigan|date=2007-03-31] In 1947, Derricotte averaged 24.8 yards on punt returns, which still stands as a Michigan school record (min 1.2 returns/game). In fact, Derricotte still ranks fifth in NCAA Division I-A history in average yards per punt return.cite web|url=http://www.ncaa.org/library/records/football/football_records_book/2007/2007_d1_football_records_book.pdf|title=Official 2007 NCAA Division I Football Record Book|publisher=National Collegiate Athletic Association|accessdate=2008-01-03|year=2007|month=August] Oddly, the NCAA recognizes that he had 347 return yards on 14 returns that season (24.8). The University of Michigan claims he had 396 punt return yards that season (which would be 24.8 with 16 returns), but did not average at least 12.3 with a minimum of 15 returns to rank in the top ten in school history. The Big Ten record book claims he did not have at least a 17.4 return average with a minimum of 10 returns to place in the top ten in conference history. [cite web|url=http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/big10/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2007bigtenfbguide.pdf|accessdate=2008-01-03|title=Big Ten Football: Individual Records (All Games)|publisher=The Big Ten Conference] The 396 was a Michigan record from 1947 until 1990 when Tripp Welborne totaled 455 in 1990. In 1948, he again only had one start, but this time back at halfback under new coach, Bennie Oosterbaan.cite web|url=http://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/football/fbteam/1948fbt.htm|title=1948 Football Team|accessdate=2007-12-07|publisher=The Regents of the University of Michigan|date=2007-03-31] Both the 1947 Michigan Wolverines football team, Fritz Crisler's last team, and the 1948 Michigan Wolverines football team were undefeated and finished the season ranked number 1 in the Associated Press polls. The 1947 team referred to as "Michigan's Mad Magicians" is considered to be the greatest University of Michigan football team of all time.cite book |last = Jones |first = Todd |editor= MacCambridge, Michael |title = ESPN Big Ten College Football Encyclopedia |chapter=Michigan |publisher = ESPN Enterprises |year = 2007|isbn = 1933060492]

During his Michigan career, Derricotte returned four punts for touchdowns, which set a school record that has since been tied (but not exceeded) by Steve Breaston and Derrick Alexander. [cite web|url=http://www.mgoblue.com/document_file/fbl-2007spring-records1.pdf|title=Record Book|accessdate=2007-12-07|publisher=mgoblue.com] He also returned three punts for touchdowns in one season, which was a Big Ten Conference record for more than 50 years until Ted Ginn returned four punts for touchdowns in 2004. [cite web|url=http://www.michiganfansite.com/gamedetail.asp?gameid=377|title= Wolverines Headed to Rose Bowl Despite Loss at OSU|publisher=michiganfansite.com|accessdate=2007-12-07|date=2004-11-20|author=Ablauf, David and Jim Schneider] The record had been tied by both Ira Matthews of the Wisconsin Badgers (1976) and Tim Dwight of the Iowa Hawkeyes (1997). [cite web|url=http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/big10/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2007bigtenfbguide.pdf|accessdate=2007-12-07|title=Big Ten Football: Individual Records (All Games)|publisher=The Big Ten Conference]

In the Associated Press poll at the end of the 1947 season, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish were ranked ahead of the University of Michigan, though both teams were undefeated. Some noted that every Southern AP voter had voted for Notre Dame, which had yet to integrate, whereas three of Michigan's star players (Derricotte, Bob Mann and Len Ford) were African-American. The Southern schools refused even to schedule games against schools that played African-American players. [John Kryk, "Natural Enemies: Major College Football's Oldest, Fiercest Rivalry," Taylor Trade Publishing, 2004, ISBN 1589790901, p. 145.]

Michigan beat USC, 49–0, in the 1948 Rose Bowl game. Derricotte scored a touchdown on a 45-yard reception from Henry Fonde in the game. [cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=fd87BHQ4VrkC&pg=PT122&lpg=PT122&dq=%22gene+derricotte%22&source=web&ots=-yL4rrH3SL&sig=_cJ4e8LU9t0b5vQbOo7s4hNMOtk|title=Michigan: Champions of the West!|publisher=Sagamore Publishing |date=November 1, 1997|isbn=1571671153|author=Madej, Bruce] Derricotte also completed a ten yard pass during the game. [cite web|url=http://www.mgoblue.com/document_file/fbl-bowl-history-2003.pdf|title=Michigan's Bowl History|accessdate=2007-12-07|publisher=mgoblue.com]

Over the course of his Michigan career, he set the career interceptions record. Neither Derricotte's career nor single-season interceptions records lasted very long. The career interception record lasted one season and the single-season record lasted three. He was also involved in only the third time Michigan had two 100-yard rushers in the same game.

Professional career

Derricotte was selected in the first round of the All-America Football Conference draft in 1949 by the undefeated league defending champion, [cite web|url=http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/team/history/results/1948.php|title=History: 1948|accessdate=2007-12-07|publisher=Cleveland Browns|work=clevelandbrowns.com] Cleveland Browns. [cite web|url=http://mgoblue.com/football/article.aspx?id=40068|title=NFL Draft History 1930s and 1940s|accessdate=2007-12-07|publisher=University of Michigan & Host Interactive|date=2005-06-23] Unfortunately, he was injured during training camp with the Browns at the end of July 1949 while standing along the sidelines playing catch with a teammate. Coach Paul Brown said Derricotte had a chronic knee injury that only rest could cure. Accordingly, Brown placed Derricotte on waivers, but said hoped he could return for another tryout in 1950.cite news|title=Cleveland Releases Gene Derricotte|publisher=Los Angeles Times|date=1949-08-07]

Derricotte was inducted into the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor in 1987. [cite web|url=http://www.letterwinnersmclub.com/hallofhonor.html|title=Hall of Honor|accessdate=2007-12-07|publisher=letterwinnersmclub.com] Derricotte also had a successful career in dentistry. In 1950, Derricotte earned a degree in pharmacy, and in 1958, he earned a further degree in dentistry. After receiving the second degree, Derricotte returned to the military, serving in Vietnam, as well as South Dakota, Massachusetts, Texas, Hawaii, Virginia, Illinois and at the United States Air Force Academy before his retirement in 1985. Derricotte then relocated to city-state|San Antonio|Texas, where he started another career at the University of Texas Health Science Center. He married, and he and his wife Jeanne had a son, Rob. The family continued to reside in the San Antonio area. Derricotte retired from dentistry in 2000.cite web|url=http://www.sactai.com/Derricott.html|title=Dr. Eugene “Gene” Derricotte|publisher=sactai.com|accessdate=2007-12-07]

In March 2007, he was one of six surviving Tuskegee Airmen honored at a ceremony held in Washington D.C., where they were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of their service to the United States. They were also honored at another ceremony in mid-June 2007 at Randolph Air Force Base in Universal City, Texas, near San Antonio.cite web|author=Staff Sgt. Lindsey Maurice|title=Local Tuskegee Airmen honored|publisher=Randolph Air Force Base|date=2007-06-17|accessdate=2008-07-07|url= http://www.randolph.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123057069]

ee also

*University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor
*1947 Michigan Wolverines football team
*1948 Michigan Wolverines football team

Notes

External links

* [http://www.sactai.com/Derricott.html SA Tuskegee Airmen Profile of Gene Derricotte]
* [https://www.gfg.com/cardimg/282/59949.jpg Gene Dericotte Football Card]