William T. Latto (September 16, 1897 – June 13, 1962) was an American football player and coach and professor at Bethany College in West Virginia.

Bill Latto
Biographical details
Born(1897-09-16)September 16, 1897
Uhrichsville, Ohio, U.S.
DiedJune 13, 1962(1962-06-13) (aged 64)
Uhrichsville, Ohio, U.S.
Alma materBethany College, 1921
Playing career
Football
1916–1919Bethany (WV)
Baseball
c. 1920Bethany (WV)
Position(s)Guard (football)
Catcher (baseball)
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1922Broaddus
Track and field
1925–?Bethany (WV)
Head coaching record
Overall3–3 (football)

Early years

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Latto was born in 1897 in Uhrichsville, Ohio, and graduated from Urhichsville Hith School.[1] He attended Bethany College in West Virginia.[2] He played college football as a guard at Bethany for four years and was elected as the team's captain for the 1918 and 1919 seasons.[3][4][5] He was the first player in the school's history to be selected captain of the football team for two seasons.[6] He also played catcher for the Bethany baseball team.[3]

Coaching, military, and academic career

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After graduating from Bethany, Latto coached the athletic teams at Vameron High School.[3] Latto was also a veteran of World War I.[1]

In August 1922, he was hired as the football coach at Broaddus College (now known as Alderson Broaddus University) in Philippi, West Virginia.[3] He coached the Broaddus football team for one year, in 1922, compiling a record of 3–3.[7]

In August 1923, Latto returned to his alma mater, Bethany College, as gymnasium instructor and freshman coach.[6] He took coaching studies at the Springfield Y.M.C.A. School (now Springfield College) and Columbia University also became director of physical education and in 1925 took over as the school's track coach.[8][9] He later also took on the responsibility as coach of Bethany's tennis team.[10][11] He eventually became a professor at Bethany College. He also served during World War II as a field worker for the Red Cross.[1]

Family, later years, and death

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Latto married Thelma Cornish in 1928.[12] They had a son and a daughter.[1][13]

In retirement, Latto returned to his hometown of Uhrischsville, Ohio. In 1961, Latto was named to Bethany's all-time college football team.[14] He died in 1962 of complications of a heart attack.[15]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "W. T. Latto". The Daily Times. June 13, 1962. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ Charleston Daily Mail, April 4, 1929, Charleston, West Virginia
  3. ^ a b c d "Bethany Man To Coach Broaddus College Eleven: 'Bill' Latto, Star Athlete, Elected Professor of Physical Education". Fairmont West Virginian. August 12, 1922. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Latto Is New Grid Leader At Bethany". The Gazette Times. Pittsburgh. December 16, 1917. p. 20 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Latto". The Wheeling Intelligencer. November 13, 1920. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ a b "Latto at Bethany". The Pittsburgh Post. August 13, 1923. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ DeLassus, David. "Broaddus College Coaching Records". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on December 11, 2011. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  8. ^ "W. T. Latto Will Coach Bethany Track Squad". The Evening Review. March 27, 1925. p. 20 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Latto Leaves Bethany Place". The Evening Review. June 13, 1927. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Bethany College Has Busy Program In Sports Field". The Daily Courier. May 13, 1930. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Bison Net Team Opposes Geneva". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. May 14, 1931. p. 20 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Latto-Cornish". The Morning Herald. August 10, 1928. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Mrs. William Latto Guest Of Honor At Bridge Party". The Evening Standard. October 10, 1932. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "Uhrichsville Man Honored At Bethany For Football Feats". The Daily Times. January 24, 1961. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ "Death Takes W.T. Latto". The Evening Standard. Uniontown, Pennsylvania. June 14, 1962. p. 22 – via Newspapers.com.