Hall of Fame
John Macel ’41 was the Presidents’ quarterback on the 1938, 1939, and 1940 football teams.
Macel was nicknamed “Little Davie” after Texas Christian University renowned QB Davie O’Brien due to his passing prowess for the Presidents. Macel burst onto the season as a dual passing-running threat in 1938 and helped the Presidents earn a 5-2-1 record. W&J was 3-0-1 at home at College Field with victories over Marietta (27-0), Geneva (14-7) and Bethany (19-0).
The 1938 season was the best by a W&J team in eight years. The 1939 Presidents traveled 2,513 miles with games at Akron, Ohio, Peoria, Illinois, and Easton, Pennsylvania. The team started the season with five-straight wins before dropping its final three games. Macel tossed a touchdown pass and ran for another score in the 16-7 season-opening win over Muskingum. The Muskies finished 8-1 and won the Ohio Athletic Conference.
Macel was named 1940 team captain and started the season with two touchdown passes in a 13-0 road win at Mount Union. He also fired two scoring passes in a 30-0 shutout of Allegheny in the season finale.
A Langley High School graduate, Macel was selected to the 1940 Collegiate Sports Writer All-America Team. He was also an All-State selection as a senior after leading the Presidents to 14 victories as starting quarterback.
