Walter Steffen
Judge on the Superior Court of Cook County
In office
1922–1937
Chicago Alderman from the 23rd Ward
In office
1917–1922
Serving with Wallace O. Thomas
Preceded byJohn Kjellander
Personal details
Born(1886-10-09)October 9, 1886
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
DiedMarch 9, 1937(1937-03-09) (aged 50)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Alma materUniversity of Chicago
Coaching career
Playing career
1906–1908Chicago
Position(s)Quarterback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1914–1932Carnegie Tech
Head coaching record
Overall88–53–9
Accomplishments and honors
Awards
2× All-American (1907, 1908)
College Football Hall of Fame
Inducted in 1969 (profile)

Walter Peter Steffen (October 9, 1886 – March 9, 1937) was an American college football player and coach, lawyer, politician, and judge. He emerged on the national scene as a high school quarterback, leading his North Division High School team of Chicago to an intersectional championship over Boys High School of Brooklyn by a score of 75–0 that ended after three quarters because of darkness. Steffen and his team helped introduce the more open style of play that prevailed in the Midwest. He played college football as a quarterback at the University of Chicago from 1906 to 1908 and was a two-time All-American selection. Steffen served as the head football coach at the Carnegie Institute of Technology—now known as Carnegie Mellon University–from 1914 to 1932, compiling a record of 88–53–9. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a player in 1969.

Steffen graduated from the University of Chicago Law School in 1912 and was admitted to the Illinois state bar the same year. He served as assistant United States Attorney under James Herbert Wilkerson and then as an alderman on the Chicago City Council, representing the 23rd Ward.[1] He had been elected to fill the seat left vacant earlier that year after the resignation of John Kjellander.[2] In 1922, Steffen was elected to the Superior Court of Cook County as a Republican. He resigned from the City Council to assume this judgeship and served on the court until his death.[1][2] Steffen's health declined in the 1930s. He was operated on for gall stones in 1930 and a kidney ailment in 1936. In early 1937, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He died at his home, in Chicago, on March 9, 1937.[1]

Head coaching record

Year Team Overall ConferenceStanding Bowl/playoffs
Carnegie Tech Tartans (Independent) (1914–1932)
1914 Carnegie Tech 4–4
1915 Carnegie Tech 7–1
1916 Carnegie Tech 4–3
1917 Carnegie Tech 2–3–1
1918 No team—World War I
1919 Carnegie Tech 3–4
1920 Carnegie Tech 5–3
1921 Carnegie Tech 7–2
1922 Carnegie Tech 5–3–1
1923 Carnegie Tech 4–3–1
1924 Carnegie Tech 5–4
1925 Carnegie Tech 5–2–1
1926 Carnegie Tech 7–2
1927 Carnegie Tech 5–4–1
1928 Carnegie Tech 7–1
1929 Carnegie Tech 5–3–1
1930 Carnegie Tech 6–3
1931 Carnegie Tech 3–5–1
1932 Carnegie Tech 4–3–2
Carnegie Tech: 88–53–9
Total:88–53–9

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Walter Steffen, Noted Athlete and Judge Dies". Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois. March 10, 1937. p. 1. Retrieved July 31, 2022 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  2. 1 2 "Centennial List of Mayors, City Clerks, City Attorneys, City Treasurers, and Aldermen, elected by the people of the city of Chicago, from the incorporation of the city on March 4, 1837 to March 4, 1937, arranged in alphabetical order, showing the years during which each official held office". Archived from the original on September 4, 2018. Retrieved December 24, 2018.
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