1961 Aintree 200
The 6th Aintree 200 was a motor race, run to Formula One rules, held on 22 April 1961 at Aintree Circuit, England. The race was run over 50 laps of the circuit, and was won by Australian driver Jack Brabham in a Cooper T55.


1961 Air Force Falcons football team
The 1961 Air Force Falcons football team represented the United States Air Force Academy in the 1961 NCAA University Division football season as a University Division Independent. Led by fourth-year head coach Ben Martin, the Falcons played their home games at DU Stadium in Denver, Colorado. They were outscored by their opponents 87–173 and finished with a record of 3 wins and 7 losses (3–7).


1961 Air Force Falcons football team
Both Army and Navy were off of Air Force's  schedule this season and the next, when the new Falcon Stadium opened.


1961 Akron Zips football team
The 1961 Akron Zips football team represented Akron University in the 1961 NCAA College Division football season as a member of the Ohio Athletic Conference. Led by first-year head coach Gordon K. Larson, the Zips played their home games at the Rubber Bowl in Akron, Ohio. They finished the season with a record of 6–2 overall and 6–1 in OAC play. They outscored their opponents 185–57.


1961 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 1961 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1961 NCAA University Division football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 67th overall and 28th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his fourth year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Legion Field in Birmingham and Ladd Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. They finished season undefeated with eleven wins (11–0 overall, 7–0 in the SEC), with a victory over Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl and as consensus national champions. The 1961 national championship was the first of the six that Bear Bryant would win as head coach of the Crimson Tide.


1961 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
Alabama opened the season with a win over Georgia on the road in week one, and then defeated Tulane in their home game at Ladd Stadium in week two. After they won their second road game of the season at Vanderbilt, Alabama returned to Tuscaloosa where they defeated NC State in the first Denny Stadium game of the season. The next week, Alabama defeated Tennessee for the first time since the 1954 season in the first Legion Field game of the year.


1961 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The Crimson Tide then defeated Houston in their final road game of the season and then returned home and defeated Mississippi State on homecoming in Tuscaloosa. The next week Alabama scored their most points in a game since the 1951 season when they defeated Richmond 66–0. They then closed the regular season with wins over Georgia Tech and Auburn in the Iron Bowl and captured the national championship as awarded by the major wire services. The Crimson Tide then closed the season with a victory over Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl.


1961 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Georgia
To open the 1961 season, the Crimson Tide defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 32–6 on the road at Athens. Alabama took a 10–0 halftime lead after Tim Davis connected on a 41-yard field goal in the first quarter and Mike Fracchia scored on a one-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. After a 37-yard Pat Trammell touchdown pass to Butch Wilson in the third, the Crimson Tide scored a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns that extended their lead to 32–0. Fracchia scored first on a two-yard run and was followed with a seven-yard Mal Moore touchdown pass to Red Wilkins. The Bulldogs then scored on a 12-yard Langdale Williams touchdown pass to Carlton Guthrie that ended Alabama's bid for a shutout and made the final score 32–6. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Georgia to 25–18–4.


1961 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Tulane
After their victory over Georgia in their season opener, Alabama dropped one position in the polls to the No. 4 position. At Mobile, the Crimson Tide shutout the Tulane Green Wave for the first time since the 1959 season in this 9–0 victory. Alabama scored their only touchdown in the first quarter on a 22-yard Pat Trammell pass to Tommy Brooker for a 6–0 lead. The Crimson Tide did not score again until a 25-yard Tim Davis field goal in the fourth quarter made the final score 9–0. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Tulane to 19–10–3.


1961 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Vanderbilt
After their victory over Tulane at Ladd Stadium, Alabama retained the No. 4 position in the AP Poll prior to their game against Vanderbilt. Against the Commodores, the Crimson Tide won by a final score of 35–6 at Dudley Stadium in Nashville. Alabama took a 13–0 first quarter lead on touchdown runs of 66-yards by Mike Fracchia and eight-yards by Pat Trammell. Early in the second quarter, Trammell scored his second touchdown on a 16-yard run.


1961 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Vanderbilt
This was followed with a 13-yard Henry Lesesne touchdown pass to Marion Starling for the Commodores and a one-yard Larry Wall touchdown run for Alabama that made the halftime score 28–6. Trammell then scored the final touchdown of the game in the third on a three-yard run that made the final score 35–6. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Vanderbilt to 20–16–4.


1961 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, NC State
After their victory over Vanderbilt, Alabama moved up one position in the polls to the No. 3 spot prior to their first Denny Stadium game of the season. In what was their first non-conference game of the season, Alabama defeated the NC State Wolfpack 26–7 in Tuscaloosa. After a scoreless first quarter, the Wolfpack scored their only points of the game on a one-yard Roman Gabriel touchdown run for a 7–0 lead. The Crimson Tide responded with 26 unanswered points and won the game 26–7. Alabama touchdowns were scored on Pat Trammell passes of 12-yards to Richard Williamson and two-yards to Bill Battle in the second and on runs of five-yards by Trammell and 45-yards by Eddie Versprille in the fourth quarter. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against NC State to 2–0.


1961 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Tennessee
Prior to their game against Tennessee, Alabama dropped two positions in the polls to the No. 5 spot prior to their first Legion Field game of the season. Against the Volunteers, Alabama won 34–3, and the victory was both the first for Alabama over Tennessee since the 1954 season and the largest since their 51–0 win in 1906. After Tennessee took an early 3–0 lead on a 53-yard George Shuford field goal, Alabama responded with 34 unanswered points.


1961 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Tennessee
The Crimson Tide scored first-quarter touchdowns on a five-yard Mike Fracchia run and a nine-yard Pat Trammell pass to Butch Wilson and a pair of Tim Davis field goals in the second quarter for a 20–3 halftime lead. They then closed the game with touchdown runs of eight-yards by Billy Richardson in the third and one-yard by Trammell in the fourth quarter. After their win, Alabama was formally extended an invitation to compete in the inaugural National Trophy Bowl at Washington, D.C., only to later decline the invitation. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Tennessee to 19–19–6.


1961 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Houston
After their victory over Tennessee, the Crimson Tide moved up into the No. 4 position in the polls prior to their road game at Houston. In the first night game of the year, Alabama defeated a tough Cougars squad 17–0 at Rice Stadium. After a scoreless first quarter, the Crimson Tide took a 10–0 halftime lead on a 33-yard Tim Davis field goal and a five-yard Pat Trammell touchdown pass to Bill Oliver in the second quarter. Trammell then made the final score 17–0 with his two-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Houston to 3–0.


1961 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Mississippi State
After their road shutout at Houston, Alabama returned to play Mississippi State in Tuscaloosa as the No. 4 ranked team for the second consecutive week. On what was homecoming in Denny Stadium, the Crimson Tide shutout the Bulldogs 24–0. Alabama took a 14–0 first quarter lead on touchdown runs of four-yards by Billy Richardson and one-yard by Pat Trammell, and after a 26-yard Tim Davis field goal in the second quarter led 17–0 at halftime. After a scoreless third quarter, the Crimson Tide closed the game with a one-yard Larry Wall touchdown run in the fourth quarter and made the final score 24–0. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Mississippi State to 33–10–3.


1961 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Richmond
Prior to their game against Richmond, the Crimson Tide moved into the No. 2 position in the weekly polls. In what was the only all-time meeting against the Spiders, Alabama won 66–0 and scored the most points in a game since their 89–0 win over Delta State in 1951. The Crimson Tide took a 34–0 halftime lead after first-quarter touchdown runs of one-yard by Pat Trammell and 30-yards by Larry Wall and second-quarter touchdowns on a four-yard Trammell pass to Richard Williamson and runs of 12 and one-yard by Wall.


1961 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Richmond
Alabama then closed the game with five second half touchdowns and won 66–0. Touchdowns were scored in the third quarter on a 66-yard Benny Nelson punt return and a 26-yard Jack Hurlbut pass to Red Wilkins and in the fourth quarter on runs of three-yards by Eddie Versprille, two-yards by Marlin Mooneyham and on a 28-yard Mal Moore pass to Jimmy Dill.


1961 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Georgia Tech
For their game at Legion Field against Georgia Tech, the Crimson Tide remained in the No. 2 position in the national polls. Against the Yellow Jackets, Alabama won in a 10–0 shutout to move their record to nine wins and zero losses. After a scoreless first quarter, the Crimson Tide scored their only touchdown on a 16-yard Mike Fracchia run for a 7–0 lead. Tim Davis then made the final score 10–0 with his 32-yard field goal in the third quarter. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Georgia Tech to 22–18–3.


1961 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Auburn
After their win over Tech combined with No. 1 Texas' loss to TCU, the Crimson Tide moved into the No. 1 position in the polls prior to their game against Auburn. Against the Tigers in the annual Iron Bowl game at Legion Field, Alabama shutout Auburn for the third consecutive season, this time by a score of 34–0 and completed an undefeated regular season. After Billy Richardson gave Alabama a 7–0 first quarter lead with his 11-yard touchdown run, they scored 17 second quarter points and took a 24–0 halftime lead.


1961 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Auburn
In the second, Pat Trammell scored on a one-yard run, Tim Davis connected on a 35-yard field goal and Trammell threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Richard Williamson. Alabama then closed the game with a six-yard Richardson touchdown run in the third and a 34-yard field goal in the fourth to win 34–0. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Auburn to 12–13–1.


1961 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Game summaries, Arkansas
After the Crimson Tide was recognized as national champions by the major wire services, they defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks 10–3 in the 1962 edition of the Sugar Bowl in what was the first all-time meeting between the schools. The Crimson Tide took a 10–0 halftime lead after they scored on a 12-yard Pat Trammell touchdown run in the first quarter and on a 32-yard Tim Davis field goal in the second quarter. Although Alabama was held scoreless in the second half, the Razorbacks only managed to score a 23-yard Mickey Cissell field goal in the third quarter that made the final score 10–3 in favor of Alabama.


1961 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Awards
After the season, Alabama had several players recognized individually for their on-field performances. Billy Neighbors was a unanimous selection to the 1961 College Football All-America Team at the tackle position. Second Team All-America selections included Lee Roy Jordan at center and Pat Trammell at quarterback. Additionally, Alabama had four players selected to the All-SEC First Team: Mike Fracchia at back, Jordan, Neighbors and Trammell. Trammell was also selected as the SEC Most Valuable Player for the 1961 season and Neighbors won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy. In having led his team to both the SEC and national championships, Bear Bryant was recognized as the AP, UPI and coaches' SEC Coach of the Year.


1961 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, NFL/AFL Draft
Several players that were varsity lettermen from the 1961 squad were drafted into the National Football League (NFL) and the American Football League (AFL) between the 1962 and 1965 drafts. These players included the following:


1961 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Freshman squad
Prior to the 1972 NCAA University Division football season, NCAA rules prohibited freshmen from participating on the varsity team, and as such many schools fielded freshmen teams. For the 1961 season, the Alabama freshmen squad was coached by Sam Bailey and finished their season with a record of two wins and one tie (2–0–1). The 1961 freshman squad was noted for its being led by Joe Namath at quarterback after he chose to attend Alabama after he received more than 50 athletic scholarship offers from other schools.


1961 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Freshman squad
In their first game of the season, Alabama came from behind and defeated Mississippi State 20–14 before 3,500 fans at Denny Stadium. After the Bulldogs took a 7–0 first quarter lead on a six-yard Ray Reed pass to Tommy Inman, Alabama tied the game 7–7 on an eight-yard Namath touchdown run early in the second. The Crimson Tide then took a 13–7 halftime lead on a nine-yard Namath pass to Creed Gilmer late in the second. State retook a 14–13 lead in the third on an eight-yard Reed to Inman pass, but Alabama scored the game-winning touchdown on a 36-yard Ron McKinney run that made the final score 20–13.


1961 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Freshman squad
In their second game, the Baby Tide defeated Tulane 32–6 at Denny Stadium in a game they scored touchdowns in all four quarters. After the Green Wave scored their only points on the first play of the game when Leon Verriere recovered the fumbled kickoff in the end zone for a touchdown, Alabama responded on the next drive and tied the game 6–6 after Namath threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Ray Ogden. The Crimson Tide then took a 12–6 lead in the second quarter on a 26-yard Tommy Tolleson double reverse. Alabama then closed the game with a pair of Namath touchdown runs and a touchdown pass to Creed Gilmer in the second half that made the final score 32–6.


1961 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Freshman squad
In their final game of the season, Alabama tied the Auburn freshman team 7–7 before 7,000 fans in the rain at Cliff Hare Stadium. Both touchdowns came in the first quarter. Alabama took a 7–0 lead when Namath threw a 46-yard touchdown pass to Creed Gilmer, and Auburn tied the game 7–7 on the kickoff that ensued after Tucker Frederickson returned it 92-yards for a touchdown.


1961 Albanian Cup
1961 Albanian Cup (Albanian: Kupa e Shqipërisë) was the twelfth season of Albania's annual cup competition. It began in Spring 1961 with the First Round and ended in May 1961 with the Final matches. Dinamo Tirana were the defending champions, having won their sixth Albanian Cup last season.


1961 Albanian Cup
The rounds were played in a two-legged format similar to those of European competitions. If the aggregated score was tied after both games, the team with the higher number of away goals advanced. If the number of away goals was equal in both games, the match was decided by extra time and a penalty shootout, if necessary.


1961 Albanian Cup, Second round
All sixteen teams of the 1960 Superliga and First Division entered in this round. First and second legs were played in March 1961.


1961 Albanian Cup, Quarter finals
In this round entered the 8 winners from the previous round.


1961 Albanian Cup, Semifinals
In this round entered the four winners from the previous round.


1961 Albanian Cup, Finals
In this round entered the two winners from the previous round.


1961 Albanian National Championship
The 1961 Albanian National Championship was the 24th season of the Albanian National Championship, the top professional league for association football clubs, since its establishment in 1930.


1961 Albanian National Championship, Overview
It was contested by 10 teams, and Partizani won the championship.


1961 Albanian National Championship, Final, Replay
Note: '17 Nëntori' is SK Tirana, 'Labinoti' is KS Elbasani, 'Traktori' is KS Lushnja


1961 All England Badminton Championships
The 1961 All England Championships was a badminton tournament held at Wembley, London, England, from 14–17 March 1961.


1961 All England Badminton Championships
In 1960 Judy Devlin married and returned to the championships as Judy Hashman, her sister Sue Devlin also married and became Sue Peard and decided to represent Ireland, the native country of her father and former men's champion Frank Devlin.


1961 All-AFL Team
The 1961 American Football League All-League Team was selected after the 1961 American Football League (AFL) season by five separate entities: current AFL players, the Associated Press (AP), United Press International (UPI), New York Daily News (NY), and The Sporting News (SN), and was published by The Sporting News. Each selector chose a first team at each position and second team at select positions.


1961 All-Atlantic Coast Conference football team
The 1961 All-Atlantic Coast Conference football team consists of American football players chosen by various selectors for their All-Atlantic Coast Conference ("ACC") teams for the 1961 NCAA University Division football season. Selectors in 1961 included the Associated Press (AP).


1961 All-Big Eight Conference football team
The 1961 All-Big Eight Conference football team consists of American football players chosen by various organizations for All-Big Eight Conference teams for the 1961 NCAA University Division football season. The selectors for the 1961 season included the Associated Press (AP) and the United Press International (UPI). Players selected as first-team players by both the AP and UPI are designated in bold.


1961 All-Big Ten Conference football team
The 1961 All-Big Ten Conference football team consists of American football players chosen by various organizations for All-Big Ten Conference teams for the 1961 Big Ten Conference football season.


1961 All-Big Ten Conference football team, Key
Bold = Consensus first-team selection of both the AP and UPI


1961 All-Ireland Intermediate Hurling Championship
The 1961 All-Ireland Intermediate Hurling Championship was the first staging of the All-Ireland hurling championship. The championship ended on 17 September 1961.


1961 All-Ireland Intermediate Hurling Championship
Wexford won the title after defeating London by 3–15 to 4–4 in the final.


1961 All-Ireland Minor Football Championship
The 1961 All-Ireland Minor Football Championship was the 30th staging of the All-Ireland Minor Football Championship, the Gaelic Athletic Association's premier inter-county Gaelic football tournament for boys under the age of 18.


1961 All-Ireland Minor Football Championship
Galway entered the championship as defending champions, however, they were defeated in the Connacht Championship.


1961 All-Ireland Minor Football Championship
On 24 September 1961, Cork won the championship following a 3-7 to 0-5 defeat of Mayo in the All-Ireland final. This was their first All-Ireland title.


1961 All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship
The 1961 All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship was the 31st staging of the All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship since its establishment by the Gaelic Athletic Association in 1928.


1961 All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship
On 3 September 1961 Kilkenny won the championship following a 3-13 to 0-15 defeat of Tipperary in the All-Ireland final. This was their second All-Ireland title in-a-row and their sixth title overall.


1961 All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship
The 1961 All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship was the high point of the 1961 season in Camogie. The championship was won by Dublin who defeated Tipperary by a ten-point margin in the final.


1961 All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship, Championship
The practice of giving Dublin a bye into the Leinster final was ended in 1961 and they had to play Wexford in a first round championship match. Judy Doyle scored three goals for Dublin on her inter-county debut as Dublin beat Laois by 8-4 to 2-1 to win the Leinster title at Parnell Park. Judy Doyle scored another three goals for Dublin against Galway in the semi-final and Una O’Connor two. Tipperary defeated Cork by 3-0 to 0-1 to win the Munster title at Clonmel with two goals by Kathleen Downes and a third by Kathleen Griffin. Antrim missed their full back Moya Forde from the All Ireland semi-final, a factor in Tipperary's morale-boosting win in Casment Park during which Kathleen Downes scored three goals, Tess Moloney two and Terry Cummins the sixth.


1961 All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship, Final
Tipperary trailed by just one point at half-time but lost by ten. Agnes Hourigan wrote in the Irish Press:


1961 All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship, Final
Dublin kept the trophy because of their better team work and crafty combination and yet this was a game in which Tipperary were not far behind the victors. Tipperary were by far the longer strikers and in the first half their forward looked more dangerous but failed to combine. Just before the interval Kathleen Downes left Tipperary supporters happy with a goal which left a point between the sides. Thought now against the wind, Dublin stretched the lead by 1-1 at the start of the second half. Although Tipp fought back, Dublin’s teamwork now proved decisive.


1961 All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship, Final
After Kathleen Mills had put Dublin on the way to victory with a goal, Judy Doyle negated a Tipp goal with a similar score for Dublin. Brídie Scully was Tipperary’s star, playing first on the left wing, then switching to left back midway through the first half and ending up in her customary position of centre back in the second half.


1961 All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship, Kathleen Mills retires
It was Kathleen Mills last match for Dublin. Agnes Hourigan wrote in the Irish Press:


1961 All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship, Kathleen Mills retires
Kathleen Mills, the most famed camogie player of all time, bade farewell to the game in a blaze of glory at Croke Park where she played a big part in Dublin’s victory. Kathleen won her 15th All-Ireland medal, an achievement unequalled in any team tame. No wonder the crowd cheered the blonde winger from CIE club when, carrying the O’Duffy Cup, she was chaired by her team mates.


1961 All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship Final
The 1961 All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship Final was the thirtieth All-Ireland Final and the deciding match of the 1961 All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship, an inter-county camogie tournament for the top teams in Ireland.


1961 All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship Final
Tipperary's prospects looked strong at half-time: after playing against the wind with the sun in their eyes, they were only a point down. But Dublin won in end, with Kathleen Mills finishing her career with a record fifteenth All-Ireland medal. Judy Doyle (Dublin) scored a hat-trick.


1961 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
The 1961 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship was the 75th staging of All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, the Gaelic Athletic Association's premier inter-county Gaelic football tournament. The championship began on 30 April 1961 and ended on 24 September 1961.


1961 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
Kilkenny return to the Leinster championship for the first time since 1944. The Leinster final in Portlaoise was the last to date not played at Croke Park.


1961 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final
The 1961 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final was the 74th All-Ireland Final and the deciding match of the 1961 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, an inter-county Gaelic football tournament for the top teams in Ireland. A crowd of 90,556 (a record at the old Croke Park) watched the match between Down and Offaly.


1961 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final, Match
The biggest crowd ever to attend Croke Park saw an explosive opening to the match - Offaly's Mick Casey and Peter Daly got goals to put them six points ahead with the match barely begun. Down recovered with three goals by half-time, and led by two points with minutes to go. Har Donnelly had a 21-yard free for Offaly, and took a point when a goal was really needed.


1961 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final, Legacy
This was Down's second appearance in an All-Ireland final, and their second win from two. It was the second of three All-Ireland football titles won by Down in the 1960s, which made them joint "team of the decade" with Galway who also won three.


1961 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
The 1961 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship was the 75th staging of the All-Ireland hurling championship since its establishment by the Gaelic Athletic Association in 1887. The championship began on 16 April 1961 and ended on 3 September 1961.


1961 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
Wexford were the defending champions, however, they were defeated in the provincial championship. Tipperary won the title after defeating Dublin by 0-16 to 1-12 in the All-Ireland final.


1961 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship, Format
Final: (1 match) The two provincial representatives from Leinster and Munster made up the two final teams with the winners being declared All-Ireland champions.


1961 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final
The 1961 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final was the 74th All-Ireland Final and the culmination of the 1961 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship, an inter-county hurling tournament for the top teams in Ireland. The match was held at Croke Park, Dublin, on 3 September 1961, between Tipperary and Dublin. The Leinster champions lost to their Munster opponents on a score line of 0-16 to 1-12.


1961 All-Pacific Coast football team
The 1961 All-Pacific Coast football team consists of American football players chosen by various organizations for All-Pacific Coast teams for the 1961 NCAA University Division football season.


1961 All-Pacific Coast football team, Key
Bold = Consensus first-team selection of both the UP and the Big 5 Conference


1961 All-Pro Team
The Associated Press (AP), United Press International (UPI), Pro Football Illustrated (PFI), New York Daily News (NYDN), Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA), and Sporting News (SN) were among selectors of All-Pros for the 1961 National Football League season.


1961 All-SEC football team
The 1961 All-SEC football team consists of American football players selected to the All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) chosen by various selectors for the 1961 NCAA University Division football season.


1961 All-SEC football team, Key
Bold = Consensus first-team selection by both AP and UPI


1961 All-Southwest Conference football team
The 1961 All-Southwest Conference football team consists of American football players chosen by various organizations for All-Southwest Conference teams for the 1961 NCAA University Division football season. The selectors for the 1961 season included the Associated Press (AP) and the United Press International (UPI). Players selected as first-team players by both the AP and UPI are designated in bold.


1961 All-Southwest Conference football team, Key
Bold = Consensus first-team selection of both the AP and UPI


1961 Allan Cup
The 1961 Allan Cup was the Canadian national senior ice hockey championship for the 1960-61 Senior "A" season. The event was hosted by the Galt Terriers and Galt, Ontario. The 1961 playoff marked the 53rd time that the Allan Cup has been awarded.


1961 Allsvenskan, Overview
The league was contested by 12 teams, with IF Elfsborg winning the championship.


1961 Amateur World Series
The 1961 Amateur World Series was the 15th Amateur World Series. It was the only one held in Costa Rica, taking place in San Jose. It was held from April 7 through April 21, 1961. It was the first international tournament to feature a Cuban entry since the Cuban revolution.


1961 American Football League Championship Game
The 1961 American Football League Championship Game was a rematch of the first AFL title game, between the Houston Oilers and the San Diego Chargers (formerly the Los Angeles Chargers). It was played on December 24 at Balboa Stadium in San Diego, California, and the Oilers were three-point favorites.


1961 American Football League Championship Game, Background
The game matched the Eastern Division champion Houston Oilers (10–3–1), against the Western Division champion San Diego Chargers (12–2), two of only three AFL teams with winning records in the 1961 season. (The other was the Boston Patriots at 9–4–1).


1961 American Football League Championship Game, Game summary
The 1961 AFL championship game was the sixth meeting between the two teams during the calendar year. The previous season's title game, won by Houston 24–16, had been played on January 1, 1961. The Chargers had won two exhibition contests with the Oilers in the summer, and they had split during the regular season, with the home teams winning.


1961 American Football League Championship Game, Game summary
The second AFL title game kicked off at 1:30 pm PST and scoring was held down by sloppy play and turnovers: Houston had seven and San Diego six. The only score of the first half came on a 46-yard George Blanda field goal, coming after a nine-yard San Diego punt.


1961 American Football League Championship Game, Game summary
In the third quarter, the Oilers had the only sustained drive of the game, and went 80 yards. With a third-and-five at the San Diego 35, Blanda rolled to his right and found Billy Cannon open at the 17. Cannon jumped to make the catch, shrugged off a would-be tackler, and scampered into the end zone for a touchdown, his second in two straight low-scoring championship games. Blanda's extra point put Houston up 10–0. The Chargers scored early in the fourth quarter on a 12-yard field goal by George Blair, but they could not score again, and the Oilers won 10–3.


1961 American Football League Championship Game, Game summary
San Diego head coach Sid Gillman was involved in a heated post-game discussion at mid-field with an official, field judge John Morrow, who was wrestled to the ground by Charger safety Bob Zeman.


1961 American Football League Championship Game, Game summary
The game was not a sellout; the attendance of 29,556 was several thousand under Balboa Stadium's capacity.


1961 American Football League draft
Because another league was in competition for the class of 1961 college stars, the American Football League draft for 1961 graduates was held in 1960, with a six-round telephone draft on November 21 and 22, that saw the Denver Broncos select New Mexico State's Bob Gaiters as the overall first draft pick. The draft was completed on December 5 and 6, with rounds seven through thirty. The San Diego Chargers were still the "Los Angeles Chargers" in this draft, as their relocation was not announced until late January 1961.


1961 American Football League season
The 1961 American Football League season was the second regular season of the American Football League (AFL). It consisted of 8 franchises split into two divisions: the East Division (Buffalo Bills, Houston Oilers, Titans of New York, Boston Patriots) and the West Division (San Diego Chargers, Denver Broncos, Dallas Texans, Oakland Raiders).


1961 American Football League season
After having spent its inaugural season in Los Angeles, the Chargers moved to San Diego, California for this AFL season; 56 years later, the franchise returned to their original home.


1961 American Football League season
The season ended when the Houston Oilers defeated the San Diego Chargers in the AFL Championship game.


1961 American Football League season, Division races
The AFL had 8 teams, grouped into two divisions. Each team would play a home-and-away game against the other 7 teams in the league for a total of 14 games, and the best team in the Eastern Division would play against the best in the Western Division in a championship game. If there was tie in the standings, a playoff would be held to determine the division winner.


1961 American Football League season, Division races
The San Diego Chargers won their first eleven games, clinching the Western Division on November 12, with four games left. When San Diego reached 10–0, it had twice the wins of any other team in the AFL. In the Eastern Division, the Titans of New York lost 27–10 to Denver, while Boston beat Buffalo 52–21, in Week Seven, for a tie in the race, with the Pats at 3–3–1 and the Titans at 3–3–0. The Titans lost, 48–13 to San Diego, in Week Nine. The following week, though (November 12), Houston beat Boston, 27–15, to take a half-game lead, and won the division by a full game.


1961 American Football League season, Regular season, Standings
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.


1961 Argentine Primera División
The 1961 Argentine Primera División was the 70th season of top-flight football in Argentina. The season began on April 16 and ended on December 3.


1961 Argentine Primera División
Racing Club won its 14th championship while two teams were relegated to Primera B, Lanús and Los Andes.


1961 Arizona State Sun Devils football team
The 1961 Arizona State Sun Devils football team was an American football team that represented Arizona State University in the Border Conference during the 1961 NCAA University Division football season. In their fourth season under head coach Frank Kush, the Sun Devils compiled a 7–3 record (3–0 against Border opponents), won the conference championship, and outscored their opponents by a combined total of 287 to 163.


1961 Arizona State Sun Devils football team
The team's statistical leaders included Joe Zuger with 879 passing yards, Nolan Jones with 411 rushing yards, and Charley Taylor with 235 receiving yards.


1961 Arizona State–Flagstaff Lumberjacks football team
The 1961 Arizona State–Flagstaff Lumberjacks football team was an American football team that represented Arizona State College at Flagstaff (now known as Northern Arizona University) in the Frontier Conference during the 1961 NAIA football season. In their sixth year under head coach Max Spilsbury, the Lumberjacks compiled a 3–5–1 record (1–0–1 against conference opponents), tied for the Frontier Conference championship, and were outscored by a total of 230 to 136.


1961 Arizona State–Flagstaff Lumberjacks football team
The team played its home games at Lumberjack Stadium in Flagstaff, Arizona.


1961 Arizona Wildcats football team
The 1961 Arizona Wildcats football team represented the University of Arizona as an independent during the 1961 NCAA University Division football season. In their third season under head coach Jim LaRue, the Wildcats compiled an 8–1–1 record, were ranked No. 17 in the final AP Poll, and outscored their opponents, 288 to 131. The team captains were Bob Garis and Eddie Wilson. The team played its home games in Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Arizona.


1961 Arizona Wildcats football team
The team's statistical leaders included Eddie Wilson with 1,294 passing yards and Bobby Thompson with 752 rushing yards and 468 receiving yards.


1961 Arizona Wildcats football team
Arizona joined the newly formed Western Athletic Conference in 1962.


1961 Arizona Wildcats football team
Until 1979, this season was the last in which the Wildcats defeated Arizona State on the road. Also, Arizona went undefeated at home in the season (not including tie games). This feat would not happen again until 1993. In addition, this season was the only one in which Arizona played Idaho on the road. Prior to that and ever since, all Arizona-Idaho games have been played in Tucson.


1961 Arkansas Razorbacks football team
The 1961 Arkansas Razorbacks football team represented the University of Arkansas in the Southwest Conference (SWC) during the 1961 NCAA University Division football season. In their fourth year under head coach Frank Broyles, the Razorbacks compiled an 8–3 record (6–1 against SWC opponents), finished in a tie with Texas for the SWC championship, and outscored all opponents by a combined total of 183 to 97. The Razorbacks' only losses during the regular season came against Mississippi by a 16–0 score and to Texas by a 33–7 score. The team was ranked #9 in the final AP Poll and #8 in the final UPI Coaches Poll and went on to lose to the undefeated national champion Alabama Crimson Tide in the 1962 Sugar Bowl by a 10–3 score.


1961 Arkansas Razorbacks football team
Arkansas halfback Lance Alworth was selected by the Football Writers Association of America as a first-team player on the 1961 College Football All-America Team. He was also honored as a second-team All-American by the Associated Press and United Press International. Alworth was later inducted into both the College Football Hall of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Fame.


1961 Arlington State Rebels football team
The 1961 Arlington State Rebels football team was an American football team that represented  Arlington State College (now known as the University of Texas at Arlington) as an independent during the 1961 NCAA College Division football season. In their ninth year under head coach Chena Gilstrap, the team compiled a 7–3 record.


1961 Armstrong 500
The 1961 Armstrong 500 was an endurance motor race for standard production sedans. The event was held at the Phillip Island circuit in Victoria, Australia on 19 November 1961 over 167 laps of the 3.0 mile circuit, a total of 501 miles (807 km). The race was organised by the Light Car Club of Australia and was sponsored by Armstrong York Engineering Pty Ltd.


1961 Armstrong 500
It was the second event held in the combined history of the Bathurst 1000, which had begun the previous year with the first Armstrong 500. Interest had waned since the previous year with the entry for this year the lowest in the races history until the fields were restricted to V8 Supercars only in 1995.


1961 Armstrong 500
Geoff Russell and David Anderson backed up their 1960 class victory in their Peugeot 403 by winning their class again. Bob Jane and Harry Firth were the only combination to complete the full race distance, earning the pair the first of their four outright race wins, although the concept of outright race win would not be officially recognised until 1965. Mercedes-Benz, Studebaker and Renault all took their first class wins.


1961 Armstrong 500, Class structure, Class A
Class A was for cars with an engine capacity over 2600cc. The class featured Ford Customline, Studebaker Lark and Vauxhall Velox.


1961 Armstrong 500, Class structure, Class B
Class B was for cars with an engine capacity between 1601cc and 2600cc. The class featured Ford Falcon, Holden EK and Mercedes-Benz 220SE.


1961 Armstrong 500, Class structure, Class C
Class C was for cars with an engine capacity of between 1001cc and 1600cc. The class featured Morris Major, Peugeot 403, Simca Montlhery and Volkswagen 1200.


1961 Armstrong 500, Class structure, Class D
Class D was for cars with an engine capacity of 1000cc or less. The class featured Ford Anglia, Morris 850, Renault Gordini and Triumph Herald.


1961 Armstrong 500, Results
Note: There was no outright winner, with only the winners of the four classes being given official recognition and prize money. However the Mercedes-Benz 220SE driven by Bob Jane and Harry Firth was the only car to complete the full 500-mile distance and it is generally considered to be the "winner" of the race.


1961 Army Cadets football team
The 1961 Army Cadets football team represented the United States Military Academy in the 1961 NCAA University Division football season. In their third year under head coach Dale Hall, the Cadets compiled a 6–4 record and outscored all opponents by a combined total of 224 to 118. In the annual Army–Navy Game, the Cadets lost to the Midshipmen by a 13 to 7 score. The Cadets also lost to Michigan, West Virginia, and Oklahoma.


1961 Army Cadets football team
No Army players were selected on the 1961 College Football All-America Team.


1961 Atlantic hurricane season
The 1961 Atlantic hurricane season was an extremely active Atlantic hurricane season, with an accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) total of 189. The season, however, was only a moderately above average one in terms of named storms. The season featured eight hurricanes and a well above average number of five major hurricanes. It was previously thought that the season had a record-tying seven major hurricanes, before the Atlantic hurricane reanalysis project downgraded two storms in 2019.


1961 Atlantic hurricane season
Two Category 5 hurricanes were seen in 1961, making it one of only seven Atlantic hurricane seasons to feature multiple Category 5 hurricanes in one season. The season started on June 15, and ended on November 15. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. The first system, Hurricane Anna, developed in the eastern Caribbean Sea near the Windward Islands on July 20. It brought minor damage to the islands, as well as wind and flood impacts to Central America after striking Belize as a hurricane. Anna caused one death and about $300,000 (1961 USD) in damage. Activity went dormant for nearly a month and a half, until Hurricane Betsy developed on September 2. Betsy peaked as a Category 4 hurricane, but remained at sea and caused no impact.


1961 Atlantic hurricane season
One of the most significant storms of the season was Hurricane Carla, which peaked as a Category 4 hurricane, before weakening slightly and striking Texas. Carla caused 43 deaths and approximately $325.74 million in damage. Hurricane Debbie was a Category 1 storm that existed in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. Early in its duration, unsettled weather from Debbie in Cape Verde resulted in a plane crash that killed 60 people. The extratropical remnants of Debbie then brushed Ireland, causing severe damage over the British Isles.


1961 Atlantic hurricane season
The next storm, Hurricane Esther, threatened to strike New England as a major hurricane, but rapidly weakened and made landfall in Massachusetts as only a tropical storm. Impact was generally minor, with about $6 million in damage and seven deaths, all of which from a United States Navy plane crash. An unnamed tropical storm and Hurricane Frances caused minimal impact on land. In mid-October, Tropical Storm Gerda brought flooding to Jamaica and eastern Cuba, resulting in twelve deaths.


1961 Atlantic hurricane season
Another significant storm was Hurricane Hattie, a late-season Category 5 hurricane that struck Belize. Hattie caused 319 confirmed fatalities and about $60.3 million in damage. Destruction was so severe in Belize that the government had to relocate inland to a new city, Belmopan. In early November, the depression that would later strengthen into Hurricane Jenny brought light rainfall to Puerto Rico. The final storm, Tropical Storm Inga, dissipated on November 8, after causing no impact on land. On September 11, three hurricanes existed simultaneously – Betsy, Carla, and Debbie – the most on a single day in the Atlantic basin since 1893 and until 1998. Collectively, the storms of the 1961 Atlantic hurricane season caused about $392.34 million in damage and at least 437 fatalities.


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Season summary
The Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 15. It was an above average season in which twelve tropical storms formed; this was above the 1950–2000 average of 9.6 named storms. Eight of these reached hurricane status, also above of the 1950–2000 average of 5.9. Furthermore, five storms reached major hurricane status. It was originally believed that the season had seven major hurricanes, though later analysis resulted in a downgrade of two storms. Of the five major hurricanes, two became Category 5 hurricanes. Four hurricanes and two tropical storms made landfall during the season, causing 348 deaths and $391.6 million in damage. Hurricane Debbie also caused damage and deaths, despite remaining offshore and then after becoming extratropical.


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Season summary
Tropical cyclogenesis began with Hurricane Anna, which developed on July 17. After Anna dissipated on July 24, there were no other systems in July or the month of August. The Atlantic basin remained dormant until Hurricane Betsy developed on September 2. During the next four days, two other tropical cyclones formed – Carla and Debbie. On September 11, the three storms – Betsy, Carla, and Debbie – existed simultaneously as hurricanes, the most in a single day since 1893 and until 1998. Esther, which developed on September 10, did not reach hurricane status until September 12. Later that day, a tropical storm that went unnamed formed over the Bahamas and moved across the East Coast of the United States for its brief duration.


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Season summary
After Debbie became extratropical on September 14, another tropical cyclone developed over two weeks later, Hurricane Frances. Thereafter, tropical cyclogenesis slowed in October, which featured only two systems, Gerda and Hattie. The latter was the strongest tropical cyclone of the season, peaking with maximum sustained winds of 165 mph (270 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 914 mbar (27.0 inHg). After weakening slightly, Hattie struck Belize on October 31, before dissipating on November 1. Later that day, Hurricane Jenny developed northeast of Antigua. Jenny remained weak for much of its duration and became extratropical on November 8. The final system, Tropical Storm Inga, formed in the Gulf of Mexico on November 4. Four days later, Inga dissipated, one week before the season officially ended.


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Season summary
The season's activity was reflected with an accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) rating of 189, one of the highest values recorded. ACE is, broadly speaking, a measure of the power of the hurricane multiplied by the length of time it existed, so storms that last a long time, as well as particularly strong hurricanes, have high ACEs. It is only calculated for full advisories on tropical systems at or exceeding 39 mph (63 km/h), which is the threshold for tropical storm strength.


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Anna
A tropical wave that emerged into the Atlantic from the west coast of Africa around mid-July developed about 575 mi (925 km) northeast of Cayenne, French Guiana, late on July 17. The depression moved west-northwestward and by the following day, it intensified into a Tropical Storm Anna. After passing just south of Grenada early on July 20, Anna entered the Caribbean Sea. Favorable environmental conditions allowed Anna to reach hurricane intensity late on July 20. The cyclone continued to slowly intensifying, reaching Category 2 intensity on July 22 and peaking with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h).


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Anna
However, the storm weakened slightly before making landfall as a Category 1 hurricane in Honduras near Barra Patuca, Gracias a Dios Department, with winds of 80 mph (130 km/h). After re-emerging into the Caribbean, Anna weakened slightly further, striking Utila around 01:00 UTC on July 24 with winds of 75 mph (120 km/h). About nine hours later, the hurricane made landfall in Belize near Monkey River Town at the same intensity. Anna rapidly weakened over land and dissipated late on July 24.


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Anna
As a developing tropical cyclone over the Windward Islands, Anna produced strong winds on Grenada, though damage was limited to some crops, trees, and telephone poles. Other islands experienced gusty winds, but no damage. Passing just north of Venezuela, the hurricane produced strong winds over the country, peaking as high as 70 mph (110 km/h). Strong winds caused widespread damage in northern Honduras. Throughout the country, at least 36 homes were destroyed and 228 were damaged. Severe damage in the Gracias a Dios Department left hundreds of people homeless. Additionally, high winds toppled approximately 10,000 coconut trees. Overall, Anna caused one fatality and $300,000 in damage, primarily in Central America.


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Betsy
In early September, a tropical wave was noted in the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). On September 2, the disturbance was analyzed to have attained tropical storm strength, after nearby ship reports indicated strong winds associated with anomalously low barometric pressures. Moving steadily northwestward, favorable conditions allowed Betsy to quickly intensify later that day. Shortly after, a trough situated along 50°W steered Betsy to a more northerly course.


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Betsy
Another low-pressure area later formed in the trough, perturbing the ridge to the north of Betsy for much of its initial stages, causing the hurricane's central pressure to rise, despite an increase in sustained winds. However, on September 5, a shortwave forced the low northeastward, allowing for Betsy to strengthen further.


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Betsy
Early on September 6, Betsy attained Category 4 hurricane strength, peaking with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (215 km/h) and a central pressure of 945 mbar (hPa; 27.91 inHg), based on reconnaissance flights into the system. However, as a result of missing the short wave itself, the hurricane later weakened and fell to Category 3 intensity while located about 440 miles (710 km) east-northeast of Bermuda. Betsy weakened further to Category 2 hurricane before becoming nearly stationary beginning on September 6.


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Betsy
Moving into higher latitudes, Betsy began to weaken, degenerating back to Category 1 hurricane intensity on late on September 8. A separate, minor trough was later able to move the system northeastwards by the following day. Betsy re-intensified into a Category 2 hurricane early on September 10, but transitioned into extratropical cyclone several hours later. The extratropical remnants continued northeastward and weakened, before executing a large loop over the far north Atlantic. The remnants dissipated well north of the Azores on September 16.


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Carla
A tropical depression developed from an area of squally weather embedded within the ITCZ in the southwestern Caribbean Sea on September 3. Initially a tropical depression, it strengthened slowly while heading northwestward, and by September 4, the system was upgraded to Tropical Storm Carla. About 24 hours later, Carla was upgraded to a hurricane. Shortly thereafter, the storm curved northward while approaching the Yucatán Channel. Late on September 7, Carla entered the Gulf of Mexico while passing just northeast of the Yucatán Peninsula. The cyclone reached major hurricane intensity around 12:00 UTC on the next day.


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Carla
Resuming its northwestward course, Carla continued intensification and on September 11, it peaked as a Category 4 hurricane. Carla made landfall near Port O'Connor, Texas, with winds of 145 mph (230 km/h). It weakened quickly inland and was reduced to a tropical storm on September 12. Heading generally northward, Carla transitioned into an extratropical cyclone on September 13, while centered over southern Oklahoma. However, the remnants continued generally northeastward and entered Canada on September 14, before dissipating near Cape Chidley early on September 16.


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Carla
While crossing the Yucatán Channel, the outer bands of Carla brought gusty winds and severe local flooding in western Cuba and the Yucatán Peninsula. Although initially considered a significant threat to Florida, the storm brought only light winds and small amounts of precipitation, reaching no more than 3.15 in (80 mm). In Texas, wind gusts as high as 170 mph (270 km/h) were observed in Port Lavaca.


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Carla
Additionally, several tornadoes spawned in the state caused notable impacts, with the most destructive tornado striking Gavelston, Texas at F4 intensity, resulting in 200 buildings being severely damaged, of which 60-75 were destroyed, eight deaths and 200 injuries. Throughout the state, Carla destroyed 1,915 homes, 568 farm buildings, and 415 other buildings. Additionally, 50,723 homes, 5,620 farm buildings, and 10,487 other buildings suffered damage. There were 34 fatalities and at least $300 million in losses in Texas alone.


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Carla
Several tornadoes also touched down in Louisiana, causing the destruction of 140 homes and 11 farms and other buildings, and major damage to 231 additional homes and 11 farm and other buildings. Minor to moderate damage was also reported to 748 homes and 75 farm and other buildings. Six deaths and $25 million in losses in Louisiana were attributed to Carla. Heavy rainfall occurred in several other states, especially in Kansas, where flash flooding severely damaged crops and drowned five people. Overall, Carla resulted in $325.74 million in losses and 46 fatalities. In Canada, the remnants of Carla brought strong winds to Ontario and New Brunswick, though impact was primarily limited to power outages and falling trees and branches.


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Debbie
A tropical disturbance was first identified in late August over Central Africa. The wave developed into a tropical depression just offshore Senegal around 12:00 UTC on September 5. It was estimated to have intensified into Tropical Storm Debbie early the next day. Several hours later, Debbie passed through the southern Cape Verde Islands as a strong tropical storm or minimal hurricane, resulting in a plane crash that killed 60 people. Once clear of the islands, data on the storm became sparse, and the status of Debbie was uncertain over the following several days as it tracked west-northwestward and later northward.


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Debbie
It was not until a commercial airliner intercepted the storm on September 10 that its location was certain. The following day, Debbie intensified and reached its peak intensity as a strong Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (150 km/h). The hurricane gradually slowed its forward motion and weakened. By September 13, Debbie's motion became influenced by the westerlies, causing the system to accelerate east-northeastward. The storm transitioned into an extratropical cyclone late on September 14 about 140 mi (225 km) west-southwest of Horta, Azores.


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Debbie
The remnants of Debbie soon passed east-northeastward throughout the Azores and then curved northeastward. The system deepened slightly as it neared the British Isles, skirting the coast of Western Ireland on September 16. In Ireland, Debbie brought record winds to much of the island, with a peak gust of 114 mph (183 km/h) measured just offshore. Widespread wind damage and disruption occurred, downing tens of thousands of trees and power lines. Countless structures sustained varying degrees of damage, with many smaller buildings destroyed. Agriculture experienced extensive losses to barley, corn and wheat crops.


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Debbie
Throughout Ireland, Debbie killed 18 people, with 12 in the Ireland and six in Northern Ireland. It caused $40–50 million in damage in the Republic and at least £1.5 million (US$4 million) in Northern Ireland. The storm also battered parts of Great Britain with winds in excess of 100 mph (160 km/h).


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Esther
On September 10, Television Infrared Observation Satellite (TIROS) III observed an area of disturbed weather well southwest of the Cape Verde Islands. Later that day, a tropical depression developed about 510 miles (820 km) west-southwest of the southernmost Cape Verde Islands. Moving northwestward, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Esther on September 11, before reaching hurricane intensity on the following day. Early on September 13, Esther curved westward and deepened into a major hurricane. The storm remained a Category 3 hurricane for about four days and gradually moved in west-northwestward direction. Esther strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane on September 16 and peaked as a Category 5 hurricane on the following day with sustained winds of 160 mph (260 km/h).


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Esther
The storm curved north-northeastward on September 19, while offshore North Carolina. Esther began to weaken while approaching New England and fell to Category 2 intensity early on September 21. The storm turned eastward on the following day and gradually weakened to a tropical storm. It then executed a large cyclonic loop, until curving northward on September 25. Early on the following day, Esther made two landfalls in Massachusetts, first on Muskeget Island and then near South Yarmouth with winds of 60 mph (95 km/h).


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Esther
The storm then emerged over the Gulf of Maine and made landfall Brunswick, Maine, around 11:00 UTC on September 26 with winds of 40 mph (65 km/h). Esther weakened to a tropical depression late on September 26 before weakening to a tropical depression and becoming extratropical over southeastern Quebec. The remnants persisted for about 12 hours, before dissipating early on September 27. Between North Carolina and New Jersey effects were primarily limited to strong winds and minor beach erosion and coastal flooding due to storm surge.


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Esther
In New York, strong winds led to severe crop losses and over 300,000 power outages. High tides caused coastal flooding and damage a number of pleasure boats. Similar impact was reported in Massachusetts. Additionally, some areas observed more than 8 inches (200 mm) of rainfall, flooding basements, low-lying roads, and underpasses. Overall, damage was minor, totaling about $6 million. There were also seven deaths reported when United States Navy P5M aircraft crashed about 120 miles (190 km) north of Bermuda.


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Tropical Storm Six
TIROS III imagery indicated a vortex east of the Bahamas between September 9 and September 12. A tropical depression formed at 12:00 UTC on September 12 near Great Harbour Cay in the Bahamas, after TIROS revealed a surface circulation. The depression tracked northward and intensified into a tropical storm while located offshore North Carolina. Around 12:00 UTC September 14, it made landfall in the state near Topsail Beach, North Carolina, with winds of 45 mph (75 km/h).


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Tropical Storm Six
The storm curved accelerated northeastward and intensified despite mostly remaining over land, striking near the southern tip of the Delmarva Peninsula about nine hours later with winds of 50 mph (85 km/h). After re-emerging into the Atlantic late on September 14, the cyclone made landfall near Islip, New York, with peak winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) around 06:00 UTC on September 15, followed by another landfall near Guilford, Connecticut, about an hour later at the same intensity. The cyclone became extratropical over southern Maine around 12:00 UTC and quickly dissipated.


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Tropical Storm Six
Impact from the storm was generally minor. In Savannah, Georgia, the storm produced an F2 tornado that blew the roof off of a lumber company building. In North Carolina, 3.12 inches (79 mm) of precipitation fell at Williamston. Strong winds lashed Rhode Island, with winds as high as 70 mph (110 km/h) in Point Judith. About 29,000 homes were left without electricity, while 1,200 lost telephone service. Hundreds of small crafts and a few ferries and barges were swamped or sank. Hurricane-force wind gusts in Massachusetts felled trees, electrical wires, and TV antennas.


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Tropical Storm Six
Some roads in the southeastern portion of the state were blocked by fallen trees. Similar impact was reported in Maine, where an F2 tornado/waterspout tracked 19.1 miles (30.7 km) from Beals through Roque Bluffs before dissipating in Dog Town just east of East Machias. Power lines were considerably damaged and numerous trees were knocked down, including two incidents where trees fell on and damaged homes. The tornado caused one injury when a man was hit by a flying wooden plank.


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Frances
A westward-moving tropical wave organized into Tropical Storm Frances on September 30, east of the northern Lesser Antilles. Six hours later, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Frances. Heading westward, it crossed through the Leeward Islands and entered the Caribbean Sea on October 1. Thereafter, the lack of divergence at high levels prevented significant strengthening for a few days. While situated south of Puerto Rico on October 2, Frances curved northwestward. The storm brought heavy rainfall to Puerto Rico, peaking at 10.15 inches (258 mm) in the Indiera Baja barrio of Maricao. Considerable damage to roads and bridges occurred. However, due to swift evacuations of residents by the Civil Defense and American Red Cross, no fatalities were reported.


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Frances
Tracking to the northwest, Frances made landfall near Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, early on October 3 with winds of 60 mph (95 km/h). No impact was reported on the island. Later on October 3, Frances emerged into the Atlantic Ocean just southeast of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Thereafter, the storm accelerated somewhat and resumed intensification, reaching hurricane status on October 4. Around that time, it curved northeastward and deepened further. Early on October 7, Frances attained its peak intensity with winds of 130 mph (215 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 948 mbar (28.0 inHg).


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Frances
The storm passed by Bermuda around that time, where it dropped 1.35 inches (34 mm) of precipitation. Later on October 7, Frances re-curved to the north. Early on the following day, the storm became extratropical as it approached the Gulf of Maine. The remnants curved east-northeastward and struck Nova Scotia, before dissipating early on October 10.


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Tropical Storm Gerda
A westward-moving tropical wave reached the central Caribbean by mid-October. The wave crossed Jamaica, causing flooding that damaged roads and forced many to evacuate their homes in western Kingston. Five fatalities were reported in Jamaica. Early on October 17, the wave developed into a tropical depression just southwest of Cape Cruz, Cuba. It continued northward and made another landfall near Santa Cruz del Sur several hours later. The depression also brought heavy rainfall to eastern Cuba, which resulted in seven deaths. After striking Cuba, the depression emerged into the Atlantic early on October 18 as it intensified into Tropical Storm Gerda.


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Tropical Storm Gerda
Moving across the Bahamas later on October 18, Gerda accelerated to the north-northeast. The storm curved northeastward on October 20, while peaking with winds of 70 mph (110 km/h). However, a Texas Tower offshore Massachusetts observed hurricane-force winds. At 00:00 UTC on October 20, Gerda transitioned into an extratropical cyclone while situated about 165 miles (265 km) southeast of Nantucket, Massachusetts. Damage from the storm in New England was "about the same as that from a typical wintertime northeaster". The remnants of Gerda moved northeastward and then to the east, before dissipating between Newfoundland and the Azores late on October 22.


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Hattie
In late October, an area of low pressure persisted in the western Caribbean Sea for several days. Around 00:00 UTC on October 26, a tropical depression developed about 100 mi (160 km) northeast of Colón, Panama. Approximately 12 hours later, the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Hattie. Moving towards the north and north-northeast, the storm quickly gained hurricane status early on October 28 and reached major hurricane intensity that same day. Hattie turned towards the west to the east of Jamaica and strengthened into a Category 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 165 mph (270 km/h) on October 31.


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Hattie
The storm then weakened to a Category 4 hurricane prior to landfall south of Belize City, British Honduras, with winds of 150 mph (240 km/h). Continuing southwest, the storm rapidly weakened over the mountainous terrain of Central America, dissipating on November 1. It was originally thought that the remnants may have contributed to the development of Tropical Storm Simone in the eastern Pacific Ocean, but a 2019 reanalysis concluded that the remnants of Hattie instead became a Central American gyre.


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Hattie
Hattie first affected regions in the southwestern Caribbean, producing hurricane-force winds and causing one death on San Andres Island. It was initially forecast to continue north and strike Cuba, which prompted evacuations. Little effects were reported as Hattie turned to the west, although rainfall reached 11.5 in (290 mm) on Grand Cayman. The worst damage was in the country of Belize. The former capital, Belize City, was flooded by a powerful storm surge and high waves and affected by strong winds. The territory governor estimated 70% of the buildings in the city were damaged, which left over 10,000 people homeless.


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Hattie
The damage was severe enough that it prompted the government to relocate inland to a new city, Belmopan. In the territory, Hattie left about $60 million in damage and caused 307 deaths. The government estimated that Hattie was more damaging than a hurricane in 1931 that killed 2,000 people; the lower toll for Hattie was due to advance warning. Elsewhere in Central America, the hurricane killed 11 people in Guatemala and one in Honduras.


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Jenny
A surface trough of low pressure developed in the eastern Caribbean Sea on October 30. The trough split, with the northern portion spawning a tropical depression near Antigua at 00:00 UTC on November 2. The precursor to Jenny brought light rainfall to Puerto Rico, peaking at 4.97 inches (126 mm) in Río Blanco, Naguabo. Moving northeastward ahead of an upper-level trough, the depression remained weak for over three days. On November 3, the system curved eastward, before briefly turning to the southeast on November 4. The depression tracked in a circular path during the next 24 hours, moving northeastward, north-northwestward, and then west-northward. Finally, the system strengthened into Tropical Storm Jenny early on November 5.


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Jenny
Jenny intensified further and reached hurricane status at 12:00 UTC on November 6. Later that day, the United States Weather Bureau began advisories and described Jenny as having "characteristic of many storms in the sub-tropics late in the hurricane season." Around 18:00 UTC on November 6, Jenny attained its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 974 mbar (28.8 inHg).


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Jenny
Thereafter, the storm briefly decelerated and weakened, falling to tropical storm intensity around midday on November 7. Jenny curved northeastward and continued to weaken, transitioning into an extratropical cyclone late on November 10 about 545 mi (875 km) east of Cape Race, Newfoundland. The extratropical remnants continued to move northeastward and weakened before being absorbed by a larger extratropical cyclone on the following day.


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Tropical Storm Inga
Early on November 4, the SS Navigator encountered a weather system in the Gulf of Mexico that produced northwesterly winds of 81 to 92 mph (130 to 148 km/h). Reconnaissance aircraft data indicated that Tropical Storm Inga developed at 00:00 UTC on November 4, while located about 145 miles (235 km) northeast of Veracruz. A strong high pressure system and a cold front entering the Gulf of Mexico from Texas caused the storm to move southward and then southeastward. Inga slowly strengthened and peaked as a 70 mph (110 km/h) tropical storm early on November 7. Thereafter, the storm became nearly stationary and began weakening. By 12:00 UTC on November 8, Inga dissipated in the Bay of Campeche, as reconnaissance aircraft found no closed circulation.


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Tropical Storm Twelve
A stationary front across the central Atlantic Ocean led to the development of a low pressure area by November 16, northeast of the Lesser Antilles. A day later, it is estimated that a tropical depression developed, although due to the system's large size, it was possible it was a subtropical cyclone. The depression moved northeastward and slowly intensified, based on observations from nearby ships. On November 19, the depression strengthened into a tropical storm. The storm strengthened to reach peak winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) on November 20. By that time, a cold front was approaching the storm, causing the storm to transition into an extratropical cyclone on November 21; later that day, the front absorbed the former tropical storm.


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Other storms
A report from Mexico indicates that a tropical depression formed off the west coasts of Tabasco and Coatzacoalcos. The depression significantly impacted the northern portions of Veracruz with heavy rainfall on June 30. However, the Atlantic hurricane best track does not list this system as a tropical depression.


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Storm names
The following names were used for named storms (tropical storms and hurricanes) that formed in the North Atlantic in 1961. Storms were named Frances, Hattie, Inga and Jenny for the first time in 1961. The names Carla and Hattie were later retired. Names that were not assigned are marked in gray.


1961 Atlantic hurricane season, Season effects
The following table lists all of the storms that have formed in the 1961 Atlantic hurricane season. It includes their duration, names, landfall(s) (in parentheses), damages, and death totals. Deaths in parentheses are additional and indirect (an example of an indirect death would be a traffic accident), but were still related to that storm. Damage and deaths include totals while the storm was extratropical, a wave, or a low, and all of the damage figures are in 1961 USD.


1961 Auburn Tigers football team
The 1961 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 1961 NCAA University Division football season. It was the Tigers' 70th overall and 28th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Ralph "Shug" Jordan, in his 11th year, and played their home games at Cliff Hare Stadium in Auburn and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished with a record of six wins and four losses (6–4 overall, 3–4 in the SEC).


1961 Australia rugby union tour of South Africa
The 1961 Australia rugby union tour of Southern Africa was a series of six rugby union matches played by the Wallabies in July and August 1961.


1961 Australia rugby union tour of South Africa
The test series was won by the Springboks with two wins from two matches.


1961 Australian Championships
The 1961 Australian Championships was a tennis tournament that took place on outdoor grass courts at the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club, Melbourne, Australia from 20 to 30 January. It was the 49th edition of the Australian Championships (now known as the Australian Open), the 14th held in Melbourne, and the first Grand Slam tournament of the year. The singles titles were taken by Roy Emerson and Margaret Smith.


1961 Australian Championships, Champions, Men's Doubles
Rod Laver/ Bob Mark defeated  Roy Emerson/ Marty Mulligan 6–3, 7–5, 3–6, 9–11, 6–2


1961 Australian Championships, Champions, Women's Doubles
Mary Carter Reitano/ Margaret Smith defeated  Mary Bevis Hawton/ Jan Lehane, 6–4, 3–6, 7–5


1961 Australian Championships, Champions, Mixed Doubles
Jan Lehane/ Bob Hewitt defeated   Mary Carter Reitano/ John Pearce, 9–7, 6–2


1961 Australian Championships – Men's Singles
Second-seeded Roy Emerson defeated Rod Laver 1–6, 6–3, 7–5, 6–4 in the final to win the Men's Singles tennis title at the 1961 Australian Championships.


1961 Australian Championships – Men's Singles, Seeds
The seeded players are listed below. Roy Emerson is the champion; others show the round in which they were eliminated.


1961 Australian Championships – Women's Singles
First-seeded Margaret Smith defeated Jan Lehane 6–1, 6–4 in the final to win the Women's Singles tennis title at the 1961 Australian Championships.


1961 Australian Championships – Women's Singles, Seeds
The seeded players are listed below. Margaret Court is the champion; others show the round in which they were eliminated.


1961 Australian Drivers' Championship
The 1961 Australian Drivers' Championship was a CAMS sanctioned Australian motor racing title   for drivers of Formula Libre cars. The title was contested over a five race series  with the winner awarded the 1961 CAMS Gold Star. It was the fifth Australian Drivers' Championship.


1961 Australian Drivers' Championship
The series was dominated by Victorian racer Bill Patterson driving a Cooper T51 Climax. Patterson won three of the five races and was second and fourth in the other two. He finished the series 36 points ahead of Lex Davison (Aston Martin DBR4 & Cooper T51 Coventry Climax). Bib Stillwell (Cooper T51 Coventry Climax & Cooper T53 Coventry Climax) placed third in the points standings.


1961 Australian Drivers' Championship
The two races not won by Patterson were Longford, won by British driver Roy Salvadori in a Cooper T51 Coventry Climax and Mallala, won by Davison, also driving a Cooper T51 Coventry Climax .


1961 Australian Drivers' Championship, Calendar
A sixth championship race was originally scheduled to be held Phillip Island on 10 December. Although a "Racing Car Scratch Race" (The Isle of Wight Trophy) was held at the circuit on that date, a contemporary report in Australian Motor Sports magazine does not label this as a "Gold Star" race  and it is omitted from 1961 Gold Star championship summaries at "members.optusnet.com.au/dandsshaw"  and "www.oldracingcars.com"


1961 Australian Drivers' Championship, Points system
Championship points were awarded on a 12-7-5-3-2-1 basis for the first six places in each race. Points were awarded only to drivers racing under an Australian licence. Ties were determined by the relevant competitors' placings in the Australian Grand Prix.


1961 Australian Drivers' Championship, Championship results
The opening race at Longford was won by Englishman Roy Salvadori who was not eligible for championship points. First place points for that race were therefore awarded to the second placed driver, Bill Patterson.


1961 Australian Drivers' Championship, Championship name
The championship was referred to by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport in the 1961 CAMS Manual of Motor Sport simply as "The CAMS Gold Star". However historical records published by CAMS use the term "Australian Drivers’ Championship"  and that title has been used in this article.


1961 Australian GT Championship
The 1961 Australian GT Championship was a CAMS sanctioned Australian motor racing title for Appendix K GT cars. The title, which was the second Australian GT Championship,  was contested over a single 50 mile race held at the Warwick Farm circuit, in New South Wales, Australia on 30 July 1961. The race was conducted by the Australian Automobile Racing Co.


1961 Australian GT Championship
The championship was won by Frank Matich driving a Jaguar D-Type.


1961 Australian Grand Prix
The 1961 Australian Grand Prix was a Formula Libre motor race held at the newly completed Mallala Race Circuit in South Australia on 9 October 1961. The race, which was Round 5 of the 1961 Australian Drivers' Championship, had 17 starters.


1961 Australian Grand Prix
The race was the twenty sixth Australian Grand Prix and would be the last to be held in South Australia until the first Formula One World Championship Australian Grand Prix was staged at the new Adelaide Parklands Circuit in 1985. Lex Davison won his fourth and final AGP setting a record for wins that still stands today, having only been equalled by Michael Schumacher. David McKay actually crossed the finish line first but had been assigned a one-minute penalty, for a jumped start, which relegated him to third position behind Davison and Bib Stillwell.


1961 Australian Grand Prix
Davison's Australian Grand Prix victory would be the last for a domestically-based Australian until Frank Matich won the 1970 AGP at Warwick Farm in Sydney driving a McLaren M10B Formula 5000 car, although British-based Australian Jack Brabham had won the AGP in both 1963 and 1964.


1961 Australian Touring Car Championship
The 1961 Australian Touring Car Championship was a CAMS sanctioned Australian motor racing title for drivers of Appendix J Touring Cars. The championship, which was contested over a single, 50 mile (82 km) race at the Lowood Airfield Circuit in Queensland on 3 September 1961, was the second Australian Touring Car Championship. The race, which was promoted by the Queensland Racing Drivers' Club, was won by Bill Pitt, driving a Jaguar Mark 1 3.4.


1961 Australian Touring Car Championship, Race overview
As in 1960, the event was dominated by Jaguar drivers. Ian Geoghegan took pole position ahead of Bill Pitt and Ron Hodgson, while Bob Jane and Bill Burns completed a top five lockout for Jaguar. Bob Holden was fastest of the non-Jaguar drivers in practice, more than eleven seconds slower than Burns.


1961 Australian Touring Car Championship, Race overview
Jane made a good start and was alongside Geoghegan heading into the first corner, but Geoghegan held on and led Hodgson, Pitt and Jane around for the first lap. Pitt attempted to pass Hodgson in the back section of the circuit but was unable to complete the move. Geoghegan led by 2.5 seconds at the end of the first lap, with Hodgson holding a similar margin back to Pitt in third. Jane and Burns were further back, while Holden and Cecil Keid led the battle for sixth ahead of Barry Gibson, Muir Daniel, Ken Brigden, Noel Trees, Des West, Roy Sawyer and Viv Eddy. Jane retired on lap 2 after a rear spring mount broke.


1961 Australian Touring Car Championship, Race overview
Geoghegan continued to build his lead over Hodgson, extending it to around six seconds by the end of lap 3 and setting a new lap record of 2:04.7 on lap 2, before Hodgson went off at the first corner, allowing Pitt into second place. Pitt quickly closed in on Geoghegan, setting another lap record of 2:03.7, before passing him for the lead on lap 5. Geoghegan began suffering from clutch slip and dropped back, as did Hodgson who had both overdrive and brake problems.


1961 Australian Touring Car Championship, Race overview
Sawyer retired on lap 7  with brake dramas and Gibson went out of the race as well on the following lap. West and Trees then went out on consecutive laps. By this stage, Pitt had a lead of more than 40 seconds and went on to an easy victory over Geoghegan and Hodgson. Burns completed a Jaguar top four while Holden was the first non-Jaguar in fifth. Keid had been running sixth until dropping back on the second last lap to seventh, allowing Daniel into sixth place. The top ten was rounded out by Brigden, Eddy and J.D. Sherman.


1961 Australian Touring Car Championship, Race overview
Geoghegan would go on to win five Australian Touring Car Championships during the 1960s, while Hodgson would achieve success as a team owner when Bob Morris won the 1979 title.


1961 Australian Tourist Trophy
The 1961 Australian Tourist Trophy was a motor race open to Sports Cars and invited GT Cars, staged at the Mount Panorama Circuit near Bathurst in New South Wales, Australia on 1 October 1961. It was the fifth in a sequence of annual Australian Tourist Trophy races, and was recognized by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport as the Australian championship for sports cars. The race was won by Bib Stillwell driving a Cooper Monaco.


1961 Australian federal election
The 1961 Australian federal election was held in Australia on 9 December 1961. All 122 seats in the House of Representatives and 31 of the 60 seats in the Senate were up for election. The incumbent Liberal–Country coalition led by Prime Minister Robert Menzies defeated the opposition Labor Party under Arthur Calwell, despite losing the two-party-preferred popular vote. In his first election as Labor leader, Calwell significantly reduced the Coalition's margin, gaining 15 seats to leave the government with only a one-seat majority. This was the first and only time that a Federal Government won a sixth consecutive term in office.


1961 Australian federal election
Future opposition leader and Governor General Bill Hayden entered parliament at this election.


1961 Australian federal election, Issues
Due to a credit squeeze, the economy had gone into a brief recession in 1961 and unemployment had risen to high levels. This saw an increase in popularity for Labor; Menzies' case was not helped by an approach seen by the press, notably The Sydney Morning Herald, as inappropriately paternalistic. The Herald, which had long supported Menzies, switched sides to support Calwell and Labor, which gave Calwell the confidence to mount a spirited campaign. These factors were enough to see a swing against the Menzies Government.


1961 Australian federal election, Significance
For a long time, the 1961 election remained the closest Federal election in Australian history, with the Coalition being reduced to a one-seat majority. Despite not having a majority of seats in New South Wales and Queensland the Coalition retained all of their seats in Victoria and could retain power. The election was decided in the seats of Bruce near Melbourne and Moreton near Brisbane.


1961 Australian federal election, Significance
In Bruce, Labor's Keith Ewert led Liberal Billy Snedden on the first count, but on the second count more than two-thirds of the DLP's preferences flowed to Snedden, enough to give him the victory.


1961 Australian federal election, Significance
However, the Coalition was not ensured of a sixth term in government until Jim Killen won Moreton by only 130 votes. Labor actually won 62 seats, the same as the Coalition. However, without Bruce, the best Labor could hope for was a hung parliament, since two of its seats were in ACT and Northern Territory. At the time, territorial MPs had limited voting rights and were not counted for the purpose of determining who was to form government. The record for the closest election in Australia's history was eventually beaten by the 2010 election, which was a 72-72 seat draw.


1961 Australian federal election, Significance
The most notable casualty was Earle Page, the third-longest serving MP in Australia's history, and briefly Prime Minister. He had been the member for Cowper since 1919. Although he was 81 years old and gravely ill with lung cancer, he decided to fight his 17th general election. His Labor opponent, Frank McGuren, needed a seemingly daunting 11-point swing to win the seat, but won by a slim three-point margin on the second count. Page, who had been too sick to actively campaign, died 11 days after the election without ever knowing he had been defeated.


1961 BC Lions season
The 1961 BC Lions finished the season in fifth place in the Western Conference with a disappointing 1–13–2 record and failed to make the playoffs.


1961 BC Lions season
There was, however, a bright side to the season as fundamental building blocks were in place. In the off-season, the Lions signed Linebacker/Guard Tom Brown who would become an important part of the Lions' defense. On August 24, the Lions traded four players to Calgary for Quarterback Joe Kapp and while the results were not immediate they would prove to be critical in future seasons.


1961 BC Lions season
Due to the poor record and play, fan attendance dropped drastically, as the Lions averaged 24,000 fans per game. It also cost head coach Wayne Robinson his job as he was fired after winless first seven games in favour of Dave Skrien on September 12th.


1961 BC Lions season
This was also the first season that the CFL introduced inter-conference games, with the first regular season games against the Ottawa Rough Riders, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Montreal Alouettes and Toronto Argonauts coming in 1961.


1961 BYU Cougars football team
The 1961 BYU Cougars football team represented Brigham Young University in the Skyline Conference during the 1961 NCAA University Division football season. In their first season under head coach Hal Mitchell, the Cougars compiled a 2–8 record (2–4 against conference opponents), tied for fifth place in the conference, and were outscored by all opponents by a combined total of 289 to 130.


1961 BYU Cougars football team
The team's statistical leaders included Eldon Fortie with 469 passing yards, 422 rushing yards, and 891 yards of total offense, and Paul Allen with 261 receiving yards and 58 points scored.


1961 Ball State Cardinals football team
The 1961 Ball State Cardinals football team was an American football team that represented Ball State College (later renamed Ball State University) in the Indiana Collegiate Conference (ICC) during the 1961 NCAA College Division football season. In its sixth season under head coach Jim Freeman, the team compiled a 2–5–1 record and finished in a three-way tie for fourth place out of seven teams in the ICC.


1961 Ballon d'Or
The 1961 Ballon d'Or, given to the best football player in Europe as judged by a panel of sports journalists from UEFA member countries, was awarded to Omar Sívori on 12 December 1961.


1961 Baltimore Colts season
The 1961 Baltimore Colts season was the ninth for the team in the National Football League. They finished the 1961 season with a record of 8 wins and 6 losses, tied for third in the Western Conference with the Chicago Bears.


1961 Baltimore Colts season
Upset by the expansion Minnesota Vikings on November 12, the Colts dipped to 4–5; they won four of the last five to finish with a winning record.


1961 Baltimore Colts season, Standings
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.


1961 Baltimore Orioles season
The 1961 Baltimore Orioles season involved the Orioles finishing 3rd in the American League with a record of 95 wins and 67 losses, 14 games behind the AL and World Series champion New York Yankees. The team was managed by Paul Richards and Lum Harris, and played their home games at Baltimore's Memorial Stadium.


1961 Baltimore Orioles season, Regular season
Roger Maris of the Yankees hit his 59th and 60th home runs of the season against the Orioles, tying what was at the time Babe Ruth's single-season record. The 59th was hit on September 20 at Memorial Stadium, and the 60th was hit on September 26 at Yankee Stadium.


1961 Baltimore Orioles season, Player stats, Batting, Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in


1961 Baltimore Orioles season, Player stats, Batting, Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in


1961 Baltimore Orioles season, Player stats, Pitching, Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts


1961 Baltimore Orioles season, Player stats, Pitching, Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts


1961 Baltimore Orioles season, Player stats, Pitching, Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts


1961 Baltimore Orioles season, Farm system
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: AberdeenVictoria club moved to Ardmore, May 27, 1961


1961 Bandy World Championship
The 1961 Bandy World Championship was the second Bandy World Championship, after the first having been arranged four years earlier. From now on, the world championships were to be played every other year, so the next tournament was two years later. The 1961 tournament was contested between four men's bandy playing nations. The championship was played in Norway from 22 to 26 February 1961. The Soviet Union became champions.


1961 Bandy World Championship
Norway, having boycotted the first championship in 1957, made its championship début on home turf but lost all its games and came in last of the four participating nations.


1961 Barbadian general election
General elections were held in Barbados on 4 December 1961. They were the first held after Barbados was granted full self-government earlier in the year. 24 MPs were elected across twelve two-member constituencies, using the block vote method.


1961 Barbadian general election
Although the incumbent Barbados Labour Party (BLP) received more votes, the non-proportional electoral system allowed the opposition Democratic Labour Party (DLP) to win 14 of the 24 seats and form a government for the first time. Among the defeated BLP candidates was the Premier Hugh Gordon Cummins, who lost his St. Thomas seat. This was also the last time an independent was elected to the Assembly, with trade union leader Frank Leslie Walcott winning a seat in the St. Peter constituency. Voter turnout was 61.3%.


1961 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting
Elections to the Baseball Hall of Fame for 1961 followed a system established after the 1956 election. The baseball writers would vote on recent players only in even-number years (until 1967).


1961 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting
The Veterans Committee met in closed sessions to consider executives, managers, umpires, and earlier major league players. It selected two center fielders and talented baserunners, Max Carey and Billy Hamilton. A formal induction ceremony was held in Cooperstown, New York, on July 24, 1961, with Commissioner of Baseball Ford Frick presiding.


1961 Baylor Bears football team
The 1961 Baylor Bears football team represented Baylor University during the 1961 NCAA University Division football season. The Bears were led by third-year head coach John Bridgers and played their home games at Baylor Stadium in Waco, Texas. They competed as members of the Southwest Conference, finishing in sixth with a regular season record of 5–5 (2–5 SWC). Baylor was invited to the first Gotham Bowl, where they beat the previously-undefeated Utah State Aggies, 24–9.


1961 Bechuanaland general election
General elections were held in the Bechuanaland Protectorate in 1961.


1961 Bechuanaland general election, Background
A new constitution had been enacted in December 1960, which created both a Legislative Council and an advisory African Council. The Legislative Council had just over 30 members; 10 colonial officials, 10 blacks, 10 whites, one Asian and some co-opted members. The 10 black members were elected by the African Council, whilst the 10 whites and the Asian member were all directly elected.


1961 Bechuanaland general election, Background
The African Council consisted of the eight heads of the Tswana chiefdoms and some elected members.


1961 Bechuanaland general election, Results
Seretse Khama received the most votes in the election for the black representatives. The Council was inaugurated in June.


1961 Belgian Grand Prix
The 1961 Belgian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on 18 June 1961 at Spa-Francorchamps. It was race 3 of 8 in both the 1961 World Championship of Drivers and the 1961 International Cup for Formula One Manufacturers.


1961 Belgian Grand Prix
The organizers of the race invited 25 entries, but were only going to pay starting money to 19: sixteen pre-selected cars plus the 3 fastest of the remaining 9. Three of the cars without starting money decided not to race after practicing. A fourth entry was a single car for Cliff Allison and Henry Taylor. UDT Laystall decided to let the fastest driver in practice compete, but Allison wrecked the car on his first practice lap.


1961 Belgian Grand Prix
The Emeryson cars were also discarded by Equipe Nationale Belge after discovering terminal chassis damage on one of them, although Willy Mairesse gained the use of a Team Lotus spare machine to post a better time on Saturday. The team eventually reached a deal for Mairesse and Lucien Bianchi to compete in the race with the older, yet proven, Lotus 18s of non-starters Marsh and Seidel.


1961 Belgian Grand Prix
The race was completely dominated by the Ferrari team, with the four works drivers finishing 1-2-3-4. This was the last time any constructor achieved this score in a F1 race. While Graham Hill took the lead at the start from sixth on the grid, he could not hold off the Italian cars and all had passed him by the end of the first lap. Hill fought with John Surtees for fifth place until he retired with an oil leak on the 24th lap.


1961 Belgian Grand Prix, Classification, Qualifying
Drivers that were not guaranteed full starting money: only the top 3 non-guaranteed drivers would receive it. Despite this, Godin de Beaufort and Bandini chose to compete anyway.


1961 Belgian general election
General elections were held in Belgium on 26 March 1961. The result was a victory for the Christian Social Party, which won 96 of the 212 seats in the Chamber of Representatives and 47 of the 106 seats in the Senate. Voter turnout was 92.3%. Elections for the nine provincial councils were also held.


1961 Belgian general election
Prior to the elections, the centre-right government of the Christian Social and Liberal Party led by Gaston Eyskens pushed through austerity measures with a law known as the Eenheidswet or Loi Unique, despite heavy strikes in the preceding weeks, especially in Wallonia. After the elections, the Christian Democrats formed a new government with the Socialist Party instead of the Liberal Party, with Théo Lefèvre as Prime Minister.


1961 Big Ten Conference football season
The 1961 Big Ten Conference football season was the 66th season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference and was a part of the 1961 NCAA University Division football season.


1961 Big Ten Conference football season
The 1961 Ohio State Buckeyes football team, under head coach Woody Hayes, compiled an 8–0–1, won the Big Ten championship, and was recognized as the national champion by the Football Writers Association of America. Fullback Bob Ferguson was a consensus first-team All-American and won the Maxwell Award and the UPI and Sporting News College Football Player of the Year awards.


1961 Big Ten Conference football season
The 1961 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team, under head coach Murray Warmath, compiled an 8–2, was ranked No. 6 in the final AP Poll, and defeated UCLA in the 1962 Rose Bowl. Quarterback Sandy Stephens was a consensus first-team All-American and won the Chicago Tribune Silver Football award as the Big Ten's most valuable player. As of 2017, Stephens is the most recent Minnesota player to win the award.


1961 Big Ten Conference football season
Ron Miller of Wisconsin received the Sammy Baugh Trophy as the nation's top collegiate passer.


1961 Big Ten Conference football season, Season overview, Results and team statistics
KeyAP final = Team's rank in the final AP Poll of the 1961 seasonAP high = Team's highest rank in the AP Poll throughout the 1961 seasonPPG = Average of points scored per gamePAG = Average of points allowed per gameMVP = Most valuable player as voted by players on each team as part of the voting process to determine the winner of the Chicago Tribune Silver Football trophy; trophy winner in bold


1961 Big Ten Conference football season, Season overview, Preseason
On November 20, 1960, hours after the final game of the 1960 season, Iowa announced that Forest Evashevski would be replaced as head football coach by Jerry Burns. Evashevski remained at Iowa as the athletic director. Burns, who signed a three-year contract, had been an assistant coach under Evashevski since 1954 and had played at Michigan from 1947 to 1950.


1961 Big Ten Conference football season, Season overview, Preseason
In the preseason AP Poll, Iowa was ranked No. 1, and Ohio State was No. 2.


1961 Big Ten Conference football season, Season overview, Post-season developments
There were no changes in the conference's head football coaches between the 1961 and 1962 seasons.


1961 Big Ten Conference football season, Statistical leaders
The Big Ten's individual statistical leaders for the 1961 season include the following:


1961 Big Ten Conference football season, Awards and honors, All-Big Ten honors
The following players were picked by the Associated Press (AP) and/or the United Press International (UPI) as first-team players on the 1961 All-Big Ten Conference football team.


1961 Big Ten Conference football season, Awards and honors, All-American honors
At the end of the 1961 season, Big Ten players secured two of the 11 consensus first-team picks for the 1961 College Football All-America Team. The Big Ten's consensus All-Americans were: