Williamsburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Arthur Azo Matsu
(1904-1987)
June 17, 2022
1. Arthur Azo Matsu Marker
Inscription.
Arthur Azo Matsu. Art Matsu, renowned football player, was the first Asian American student to graduate from William and Mary. A four-year starter at quarterback (1923–1926), he earned a national reputation while guiding William and Mary’s powerful offense. As team captain during his senior year, he led the program to its first postseason win. The son of a Scottish mother and a Japanese father, Matsu was a prominent leader on campus even as Virginia passed a series of laws in the 1920s to prevent “race mixing.” In 1928, he became the first player of Japanese descent in the National Football League. From 1931 until the mid-1950s, he taught physical education and coached football at Rutgers University.
Art Matsu, renowned football player, was the first Asian American student to graduate from William & Mary. A four-year starter at quarterback (1923–1926), he earned a national reputation while guiding William & Mary’s powerful offense. As team captain during his senior year, he led the program to its first postseason win. The son of a Scottish mother and a Japanese father, Matsu was a prominent leader on campus even as Virginia passed a series of laws in the 1920s to prevent “race mixing.” In 1928, he became the first player of Japanese descent in the National Football League. From 1931 until the mid-1950s, he taught physical education and coached football at Rutgers University.
Erected 2021 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number W-114.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Sports • War, World II.
Location. 37° 16.43′ N, 76° 42.857′ W. Marker is in Williamsburg, Virginia. Marker is on Stadium Drive west of Richmond Road, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Williamsburg VA 23186, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regarding Arthur Azo Matsu. The Historical Marker topic was selected as one of the 5 winning submissions of the 2021 AAPI Heritage Month Historical Roadside Marker Competition by Cumberland Middle School. It was unveiled on April 30, 2022 (https://www.farmvilleherald.com/2022/05/historic-marker-dedicated/).
Credits. This page was last revised on March 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 22, 2023. This page has been viewed 67 times since then and 39 times this year. Photo1. submitted on December 22, 2023. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
