Coach Frank Casey

After a strong finish in the 1920s, the Beavers got off to a rough start in the 1930s, finishing under .500 for the first four seasons while winning just a combined eight games over that span. The team’s first winning season of the decade came in 1934 when it finished 6-2. In 1935 coach Frank Casey would depart, leaving behind him an overall record of 29-35-6 which was to that point, the best eight-year tenure of any Buena Vista football coach. Upon his departure, the Pilot Tribune accurately remarked that, “always taking a handful of inexperienced lads, he registered upset after upset.” Casey was referred to by many around campus as the finest and ablest coach in the Iowa Conference.

Albert Dallagher took over the team and in his three years as the coach, his teams won 15 of the 24 games played. The best season under Dallagher came in 1936. That fall the club finished 7-2 and fell one point and three inches short of winning the conference championship when Central defeated the Beavers 7-6 in the team’s conference opener. The team finished the 1936 season with a conferencemark of 4-1 with wins over William Penn, Upper Iowa, Western Union and Dubuque. The team dropped its season finale to Augustana, 20-0. The upset bid fell short despite the Beavers holding the South Dakota Champion Vikings scoreless through the entire first quarter. Back-to-back scoring drives in the second period buried the Beavers as they were unable to regroup.

	BV Halfback Scott Keister

Quarterback Prentist Jones and halfback Scott Keister were the two main leaders of the team during the 1936 season. Jones would earn all-conference honors that year for his strong performance at quarterback. Keister was the leading rusher on the team and was awarded his efforts by being named to the all-conference team as well. After having never played football in high school, Keister came into Buena Vista and was a letterwinner his freshman season in 1932. Offensive guard Don Van Peursem also earned all-conference honors for his play after being moved from the end position following last season.

After four consecutives seasons at .500 or better during the middle part of the era, (1934-37) the team failed to win more than three games the next two seasons, finishing 3-4 in 1938 and 1-5-1 in 1939. Dallagher would give up the coaching ranks at season’s end and it is unknown who took over the team from 1939-42.

MORE ON THE 1930s

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