Courtesy of Ball State University Archives & Special Collections

John V. Magnabosco, former Ball State football and track coach and one of Muncie's most beloved sports figures, died Monday morning, October 15, 1956. He was born in Clinton, Ind., February 14, 1906. "Mag," as he was affectionately known to his friends and associates , collapsed at 10:20 a.m. in the foyer of the college gymnasium as he was talking with A. L. "Pete" Phillips of the physical education faculty. An ambulance was called immediately, but efforts to revive him by means of a pulmotor failed. Members of the physical education faculty reported that Magnabosco had complained of "not feeling well" this morning, but had gone ahead with his routine duties. Magnabosco, who was 49, lived at 509 N. Dix with his wife, Velda Fay, and his daughter, Barbara Fay, a Ball State student. Other survivors include three sisters, Mrs. Adeline Hines of Yuba City, Calif., and Mrs. Mary Berto and Catherine Magnabosco, both of Clinton; and two brothers, Elmo Magnabosco of Clinton, and Ray Magnabosco of Indianapolis. The body was removed to Meeks Mortuary where friends may call after 4 p.m. Tuesday and until noon Wednesday. Funeral services will be conducted at the College Ave. Methodist Church at 2 p.m. Wednesday with the Rev. Donald Barnes, pastor, in charge. Magnabosco had been a member of the Ball State athletic staff since 1935. He held the post of assistant professor of physical education and received his B.S. from Indiana University in 1930 and his M.S. from the same school in 1931. In recent years he had completed two years of graduate work, also at Indiana. Magnabosco coached the Ball State football and track varsities from 1935 until the spring of 1953 when he was first stricken with a heart condition. He suffered two severe attacks at the time and never again coached actively. However, he retained his title of coach until November of 1954 when, under the advice of doctors, he announced his permnanent retirement. He was succeeded by line coach, George Serdula, who had served in the capacity of acting football coach during the 1953 and 1954 seasons. Serdula resigned after the 1955 season and was succeeded in turn by Jim Freeman this year. Dick Stealy was elevated to the post of head track coach following Magnabosco's retirement and is presently on a one year leave of absence. Following a period of convalescence, "Mag" returned to Ball State and resumed his duties as a physical education instructor. His classes, particularly those for post-graduates, were among the most popular on the campus. He had suffered a mild relapse this spring, fainting while lecturing before a class. However the illness was diagnosed as not being a heart attack and shortly thereafter "Mag" resumed his teaching duties. Magnabosco was born in Clinton, Ind., February 14, 1906. He became an outstanding high school athlete there and enrolled at Indiana University in the fall of 1926, where he was destined to attain even greater athletic fame. One of his teammates and closest friends was Branch McCracken, present Indiana University basketball coach who once was a coaching associate at Ball State. Magnabosco played with the Indiana freshman squad in 1926 and earned a regular berth on the varsity a year later. For the next three autumns he was a line crashing fullback for the Hoosiers, acclaimed by critics as one of the finest triple threat fullbacks in the country. He was selected to the all-Big Ten teams as a senior in the fall of 1929. "Mag" did not confine his athletic achievements to the gridiron and was a valuable member of the IU baseball squad from 1927 through 1930. He was named to the all-conference nine his senior year. Magnabosco began his coaching career at Clinton High School, scene of his former athletic triumphs, in 1931. His football teams immediately achieved brilliant success, winning 35 and losing three and capturing three mythical state championships. Among his outstanding players were Ettore Antonini, present Muncie Central football coach, and Chris Del Sasso, now an Indiana University football assistant. Magnabosco moved on to Ball State as head football and track coach in the fall of 1935. At the time of his arrival, football interest was at low ebb and hardly enough players for two full teams came out that first year. However, "Mag" was patient and through the years he built the Cardinals into a formidable athletic power, both on the gridiron and the cinder paths. Magnabosco's greatest year was in 1949, when his football team romped through an eight game schedule unbeaten and untied. The Ball State track team that year also was undefeated and capped its perfect season by winning the Little State track championship. Since his retirement, Magnabosco's interest in athletics had not declined. He corresponded regularly with dozens of his former players and associates throughout the country and kept abreast of each new development in the field he loved so well. Coaches and players came to him frequently for advice and he was ever ready to extend a helping hand. Magnabosco was an active member of the College Ave. Methodist Church. He was a member of the Elks and Masonic lodges, was a past president of the Sertoma Club, had served as treasurer of the Indiana Association of Health, Physical Education and Recreation for 10 years. He also belonged to the American Association of University Professors, Blue Key, Alpha Tau Omega, Phi Delta Kappa, and Methodist Men's organizations. Dr. Oliver Bumb, assistant to the president of Ball State College, and Paul B. Williams, head of the physical education department, summed up the sentiment of college officials today, when they said, "We looked on 'Maggie' as a loyal a member of the Ball State College faculty as we have ever had. The influence he had on men who came to Ball State was really tremendous. Alumni who came back for homecoming this past week end all inquired about 'Maggie' and were pleased that he was able to see the homecoming game Saturday afternoon. One of his greatest characteristics was that he was always interested in other people's personal problems, as well as their football problems. He was as well known as any football man in Indiana, and anyone interested in athletics who traveled over the state was sure to find people in every locality asking about 'Maggie.' "We feel that his loss will be realized in many ways on the campus in other areas as well as athletics." Dr. John R. Emens, president of Ball State College, was out of the city Monday and could not be contacted for a statement.