Roper, "Bill" (William W.)
Football
b. Aug. 22, 1880, Philadelphia
d. Dec. 10, 1933
An emotional coach who believed that motivation was more important than strategy for a winning football team, Roper played end at Princeton. His fumble recovery with seconds to play set up the winning field goal in the 10-6 victory over Yale in 1899, his freshman year.
Roper graduated in 1903 and coached Virginia Military Institute to a 5-5-1 record in 1903 and 1904. He returned to Princeton to coach from 1906 through 1908, compiling a 21-4-4 record, coached Missouri to a 7-0-1 record in 1909, then came back to Princeton for two more seasons, winning 15 games while losing 1 and tying 2.
After earning a law degree, Roper coached Swarthmore in 1915 and 1916. He then went into the service during World War I and settled down as Princeton's coach for 12 more seasons, 1919 through 1930.
His 1922 squad became known as the "Team of Destiny." Expected to lose just about every week, they won all 8 games. The biggest victory was a 21-18 upset of the University of Chicago, which led 18-7 going into the fourth quarter.
Roper left coaching after the 1930 season because of poor health. His over-all record at Princeton was 89-28-6.