J.F. McKale

James Fred McKale
(Pop)

• School Albion College
• High School Lansing High School

• Born 1887 in Lansing, MI USA
• Died June 1, 1967 in Tucson, AZ USA

Biographical Information

J.F. "Pop" McKale was a long-time University of Arizona coach.

McKale taught high school for a year in Wisconsin before heading to Arizona. He coached at Tucson High School, winning baseball state championship in 1912 and football state championship in 1913 before being named coach of all sports and Director of Athletics at the University of Arizona. He coached the baseball team in 1915-1919, 1922-1930, 1932-1943 and 1946-1949. He coached several future major leaguers, most notably Hank Leiber.

McKale had been a catcher, quarterback and broad jumper in college. He is part of the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Related Sites

• Pima County Sports Hall of Fame
• University of Arizona
• Tucson High School Badger Foundation page
• Albion Hall of Fame page