Hall of Fame
Hometown: Diagonal, Iowa
Glenn Bailey, Class of 1915, was a 10-letter man in four sports at Coe. So wide-ranging were his athletic exploits that in 1925 the Des Moines Register called him the most versatile athlete in Iowa's history. His versatility was not limited to the athletic field as he was also a leading actor in Coe theatrical productions.
In football Mr. Bailey, nicknamed "Straw", won All-State honors at end in one year and at halfback another year. He was the team's dropkicker, punt returner and safety man. Considered the state's best open field runner, he captained the 1914 Point-a-Minute team, and in one game that year he ran for 320 yards in only 6 plays. In basketball Straw Bailey was twice an All-State guard and he consistently outscored his forwards, a rarity in those days.
On the track Straw Bailey ran the 100-yard dash and the quarter mile. He ran legs of the mile and half-mile relays. Between races he was a broad jumper. In the 1915 state championship meet won by Coe Bailey won the 100-yard dash, the quarter mile and was a member of the record-setting mile and half-mile relay teams. He also lettered in baseball one year.
All these fabulous exploits were etched into the record book by a man who was graduated from college at age 20 and whose top playing weight was 147 pounds.
