Who was William “Lone Star” Dietz?

A great football player, a famous football coach, an acclaimed painter and illustrator, an actor and film enthusiast, an art teacher and a passionate advocate for American Indians, Dietz was a flamboyant character who liked to wear silk suits, complete with a top hat and cane, or Indian regalia. For fun he played bridge, sang, smoked cigars and raised championship show dogs.

During his life and even now, more than 40 years after his death, some question his claim that he was part American Indian. Despite his national success and fame, he lived his last years practically penniless in Reading. His life was a combination of incredible highs and terrible lows. But fans and critics agree - he was unique and he never quit.

This American character entered Albright history in 1937, when he arrived as the new football coach and athletic director. That year, he led the Lions into the Albright record books as the first undefeated football team, a record that held until 1960, when the team that year went both undefeated and untied.

Norm Jowitt ’38, of Naples, Fla., was a member of that legendary 1937 team, and remembers Dietz well.

“He was nationally known when he came to Albright,” says Jowitt, 89. “He had played football for the Carlisle Indians with Jim Thorpe, and he had won the first Rose Bowl (as the Washington State College coach).”

“Lone Star had many talents,” adds Jowitt. “He was an accomplished painter. Youngsters would stop at his door for his autograph and he would draw a sketch of an Indian chief wearing a headdress and sign his name and write their name on it. He was a lot of fun.”

Dietz coached the Lions for six years, through 1942, until World War II shut down football at Albright. His overall Albright record was 31-23-2, 55 percent wins.

Jowitt is one of several Lions who played for Dietz who are members of the Albright Athletics Hall of Fame. Others include the late Ed Cammarota ’38, Leo Disend ’38, Michael Bonner ’39, and the legendary All-American Dick Riffle ’38, the star of the 1937 team, who went on to play professional football with the Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Margaret “Peg” Schumo, 81, of Wyomissing, grew up near Albright and recalls the excitement in the neighborhood during that undefeated season.

“I went to the practices to watch them,” says Schumo. “The Coach (Dietz) was quite a famous figure around town.”

Sam Codi ’42 played football for Dietz for four years and remained close friends with him throughout his life.

“In 1941, I was captain of his football team,” says Codi, 87. “We would have dinner together every Friday night if we were going to play Saturday, and we would plan the game. He was really dedicated to Albright.”