“Dutch” Thiele was one of the athletes who helped establish the legendary Stivers Tigers athletic tradition. In only the school’s second basketball season, Thiele anchored the team at center as Stivers defeated Steele High two out of three games to win the city championship and qualify for the 1911 state tournament. However, Principal Meck declined the invitation because of the team’s 7–5 record. As team captain in 1911–12, Thiele led the Tigers to an 11–4 record, another city championship, and a trip to the 1912 Delaware tourney.
Thiele starred on the Stivers football team, playing halfback, fullback, and end. After a 4–1 season in 1909, the Tigers won back-to-back city championships in 1910 and 1911, defeating Steele both years. Thiele also played first base on the baseball team, helping Stivers win the 1911 city championship, and competed in track as a shot putter.
“Dutch” attended Denison University where he had an outstanding sports career. He lettered in football, basketball, baseball, and track. In football he was named to the All-Conference team three times, helped them to back-to-back conference championships and was named to the Denison All-Time Football Team. He was elected captain of their basketball team his Senior year. After graduating from Denison, Thiele played professional football in the American Professional Football Association (now the NFL) for the Dayton Triangles, Massillon Tigers, and the Cincinnati Bengals. He took over Knute Rockne’s position at Massillon. He also played semi-pro basketball for the Dayton Triangles and franchises in Cincinnati and Indiana.
In 1922, Thiele made the news differently. Carl and his new bride, Elsie Burkhardt, had their honeymoon to the East coast interrupted when their car was stolen in Cleveland. The car was recovered in New York when their marriage license was found still inside the vehicle. In 1925, “Dutch” Thiele was selected to the All-Time Ohio Football 1st Team and the All- Time Ohio Basketball 2nd team. “Dutch” became president of Thiele Motors, Inc., when he bought the Franklin Co. dealership in Dayton. Carl Thiele passed away in 1986 at the age of 93 and is buried in Woodland Cemetery.
