The Michigan Wolverines reign as national champions of NCAA football. And while it might not sit well with Colorado college football fans, the fact of the matter is that Michigan will be getting plenty of action as a favorite to repeat their title-winning ways in college football national championship futures betting at Colorado sports betting apps.
It’s also probably not common knowledge that when the Wolverines won the school’s first football title back in 1898, one of Michigan’s star players was a fellow from Park County.
It’s been over a century since Bill Caley laced up his football boots, yet he still reigns as the finest athlete ever to come out of Park County. Though born in Missouri in 1873, Caley’s parents Franklin and Grace relocated the family to Alma when Bill was just an infant. Caley’s father worked in the mining, cattle, and butcher businesses in Alma.
Prior to going to Michigan, Caley was a star back at the University of Colorado. Caley would set school rushing records that stood the test of time for some four decades.
Caley Stars For Buffaloes
In 1893, Caley enrolled at the University of Colorado at Boulder. He would play for the Colorado football team – then known as the Silver And Gold – from 1983-95, serving as team captain in 1895.
His final season in Colorado, Caley was among those who helped recruit Fred Folsom to coach the squad. Folsom would serve two stints as Colorado coach over 15 seasons with a 77–23–2 record, posting four unbeaten seasons and winning nine conference titles. Folsom didn’t endure a losing campaign at the helm of the team until 1915, his last season at the school. Since 1944, the Buffaloes have played their home games at Folsom Field.
Folsom’s first conference title win came in 1895 and had a lot to do with Caley, his starting halfback. Colorado went 4-1 overall and 3-0 in conference play, thanks in part to a record-setting season from Caley.
During a 28-0 win over Denver on November 5, 1895, Caley broke loose for an 80-yard run. It stood as the longest rush in school history for nearly 40 years and still ranks among the longest runs from scrimmage ever by a Colorado player. The previous school record was set by Caley in 1894. Facing Colorado Agricultural on October 27, 1894, Caley would cut loose on a 75-yard run. Colorado won that game 67-0.
In 1895, Caley was selected as the best all-around athlete at Colorado. At six feet and 225 pounds, he was certainly a powerfully-built player for that era of football. In 1904, the Denver Times would cite Caley as “probably the best football player ever turned out of the University of Colorado.”
A Reluctant Wolverine
Bill Caley (Public domain)
In the fall of 1896, Caley enrolled at Michigan. His mission was to attend law school, graduate, pass the bar and become a lawyer. Football wasn’t anywhere on Caley’s agenda.
Michigan was in a rebuilding year that season. One afternoon, Caley happened to stop by to watch football practice. Coach William Ward immediately spotted this prize physical specimen on the sideline, and approached Caley.
“Don’t you want to get out and make the team?” Ward asked Caley, according to a 1904 report by The Day.
“No, I guess not,” Caley answered.
“Did you ever play football,” Ward wondered.
“Yep, a little bit in Colorado,” the modest Caley said.
“Put on a uniform and come out on,” Ward requested.
Caley decided to give it a try and was outfitted in football gear.
“What position did you play?” Ward asked.
“Halfback,” answered Caley.
“Where did you stand on the defensive,” the coach wondered.
When Caley took up his stance, he was immediately chided by Ward.
“Why if you stand there they will get around you every time,” Ward roared.
Caley’s response was to put forth a challenge.
“All right, let’s try and see,” Caley said.
Michigan captain Henry Senter was the star halfback for the Wolverines, but each time that afternoon he sought to get past Caley, he was immediately slammed to the ground. On the last occasion, he was stretchered off to hospital with a broken leg.
The next day, Caley didn’t turn up for practice. Ward immediately sought him out.
“Aren’t you going to come out and play?” he asked.
“No,” Caley said.
“What’s the matter?” Ward wondered.
“Oh, I don’t want to play,” was Caley’s answer.
Maybe you don’t but we need you,” Ward pleaded.
His pleas fell on deaf ears. Caley returned to his law textbooks and stayed away from the gridiron.
Michigan’s fifth game of the season was against Purdue and it was a hard-fought battle. Caley was among the spectators at the game. At halftime, Ward sought him out and again pleaded with Caley to suit up.
When the Wolverines came out for the second half, Caley was in the lineup. He was a demon on defense and would score a touchdown in Michigan’s 16-0 win.
Two years later, with Caley playing a starring role at halfback, fullback, guard, linebacker and punter, the Wolverines would go 10-0 and win the university’s first Western Conference (now known as the Big Ten Conference) title. Caley was the second leading scorer on the team and earned first team selection to the All-Western Team.
Someone even penned a poem about Caley’s exploits, entitled Mighty Bill.
King Somus called around last night
And quite a time we had, –
Talking ’bout the game in which
Bill Caley knocked ’em sad –
Chicago thought they had a cinch
In fact I think they did;
Till Billiam took his good right foot
And kicked the little lid
Caley’s Later Life
Returning to Colorado, Caley practiced law in Denver and later served as city attorney in Littleton. He also was the football coach at Colorado Agricultural College, today known as Colorado State University.
Caley was also involved in the mining business, which would lead to his tragic death. Superintendent of the Cash Entry mine is Los Cerillos, Sante Fe, New Mexico, on January 15, 1918, Caley was checking out some machinery on site when his tie became entangled in an engine belt. He was pulled into the machinery and was instantly killed.
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