Henry Aaron:
"The Hammer's" ties to Wisconsin were very strong, since he started his minor league career in Eau Claire, had many of his best years with the Milwaukee Braves and finished his great career with the Brewers. Aaron, who faced tremendous pressure and racism during his pursuit of Babe Ruth's career home run record while in Atlanta, always said he was treated well in Wisconsin.
Aaron led the Braves to the World Series in 1957-58 and earned All Star and MVP honors while with the team in Milwaukee. He and fellow Wisconsin Hall of Famer Eddie Mathews combined to hit more homers than any duo on baseball history.
Perhaps the most famous homer in County Stadium history came in 1957, when Aaron homered to win the pennant for the Braves. Of course, Aaron stayed with the Braves when the team moved to Atlanta and eventually eclipsed Ruth's record. He returned to Milwaukee to end his career with the Brewers and finished with 755 homers.
| | Return to Table | Allis, Edward P. "Ned":
Ned Allis won 10 state amateur golf titles during a career that spanned 60 years, but his greatness might have been epitomized by one round in 1913. On a spring day that year, Allis show a 29 on the tough front nine of Milwaukee Country Club. Then a 20-year-old golfer, Allis went on to lead Harvard to a national collegiate title in 1914.
Allis was a legendary long hitter, making Western Golf Association history with a 306-yard drive in 1914. Allis starred in several U.S. Amateur tourneys and Western Amateurs. His head-to-head battles with Billy Sixty, Chick Evans and other greats of the era now are legendary.
| Ameche, Alan:
Some still call it football's greatest game. The overtime NFL championship game between the Baltimore Colts and New York Giants is said to have made the pro league on TV. The man scoring the winning touchdown in sudden death for the Colts was Kenosha's Alan Ameche.
Ameche had a fine pro career, leading the NFL in rushing as a rookie. Before going to the NFL, "the Horse" earned All American honors at the University of Wisconsin and was selected the Heisman Trophy winner in 1954. Ameche led the Badgers to the Rose Bowl. UCLA coach Red Sanders called Ameche "the strongest runner in football history, not excepting Bronco Nagurski."
Before going to UW, Ameche led Bradford High School to two state championships and starred in track and field, as well as football.
| | Return to Table | Bartlett, Tommy:
Tommy Bartlett is credited with building the Wisconsin Dells tourism industry and turning the sport of water skiing into art and entertainment. Bartlett began his career as a Milwaukee radio announcer at the age of 13 and later originated the first call-in, radio talk show in 1935 at KMOX in St. Louis. His broadcasting career included work for 10 radio stations and ABC, CBS and NBC TV networks.
Bartlett turned his show business talent to the creation of water ski shows after seeing a performance of the sport at the Chicago Railroad Fair in 1949. In the early 1950s, Bartlett produced as many as four water ski shows simultaneously throughout the United States, Canada and the Far East. The ski shows performed at four World's Fairs, were part of the President's Cultural Exchange Program and toured with the USO. In 1953, Wisconsin Dells became a permanent show site for the Tommy Bartlett Show and Bartlett became an icon, synonymous with water sport spectacles. Bartlett was inducted into the Water Ski Hall of Fame in 1993.
| Beaumont, Clarence H. "Ginger":
The date is Oct. 1, 1903. The setting is Boston's Huntington Avenue Park. A crowd of 16,242 - tremendous for that era - jams the old wooden structure as the Boston Red Sox are about to meet the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first modern-day World Series.
Approaching the plate is Clarence Howeth "Ginger" Beaumont, who is a long way from his home of Honey Creek, Wisconsin. Beaumont flies out to center and makes history, as the first batter in World Series history.
Beaumont went on from there to finish a 12-year career, 1899-1910, with a .311 batting average and 254 stolen bases. He won the 1902 National League batting average with a .357 average. Honus Wagner put Beaumont on his all-time team. Beaumont has his best seasons as Wagner's teammate on the Pirates. He also played for the Boston Braves and Chicago Cubs.
| | Return to Table | Beell, Fred:
Pound for pound, Marshfield's Fred Beell might have been the greatest wrestler of all time. That's how George Barton of the Minneapolis Tribune described the 5-6, 165 pound Beell.
Beell won three world championships at three weights, including heavyweight. He was the only wrestler to ever defeat Frank Gotch, the legendary wrestler of the early 1900s. Beell was described as "quick as a cat on the mat" and "gifted with amazing endurance."
After retiring from the ring in 1919, Beell returned to Marshfield and entered police work. He rose to the position of chief before he was killed in a 1933 shootout during a robbery of the Marshfield Brewery.
| Berres, Ray:
Ray Berres was once called "the greatest pitching coach in the history of baseball." Berres first started to learn his craft while playing sandlot ball in his hometown of Kenosha.
Berres went on to play 11 seasons in the major leagues for the Brooklyn Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Braves and New York Giants. Berres averaged only .216, but became known as one of the top defensive catchers in the game and one of the best handlers of pitchers.
Berres started his coaching career in 1948 with the Milwaukee Brewers of the American Association and went on to a 20-year career with the Chicago White Sox, developing pitchers like Bob Shaw, Gary Peters, Early Wynn and others. Tommy John often gave Berres credit for reviving his career. After his retirement, Berres was called upon by teams as a pitching consultant.
| | Return to Table | Blackbourn, Lisle "Liz":
Lisle "Liz" Blackbourn impacted Wisconsin state sports at several levels. Blackbourn starred at Marquette University as a football player, but did not stop there. He coached the MU football team from 1950-53. He then was tapped to coach the Green Bay Packers.
Blackbourn managed only a 17-31 record from 1954-58 with the Packers, but coached during rough times for the franchise. Blackbourn returned to Marquette after his days in Green Bay and coached the last two football seasons at the school.
| Blair, Bonnie:
Bonnie Blair was born in New York and raised in Illinois, but she adopted Wisconsin as her home when she started to train in speedskating at the West Allis oval. Blair went on to a 10-year career in the sport. She won five gold medals and a bronze to rank her at the time at the top of American female Olympians.
Blair was the first American to win gold medals in three consecutive Olympics. She became the first woman to break the 39 seconds barrier in the 500. She set an American record in the 1,000 meters in her last race, at the age of 31. For her efforts, Blair was awarded the prestigious Sullivan award in 1992 as the top U.S. amateur athlete.
After her retirement from speedskating, she married Olympic teammate Dave Cruikshank and settled in Wisconsin. She served as a motivational speaker and donated time to a variety of charities through the Bonnie Blair Charitable Fund.
| | Return to Table | Breidster, Waldemar "Fritz":
Waldemar "Fritz" Breidster moved from Milwaukee East High School to a distinguished military career in the Army. Between those destinations, he played football well enough to earn two-time All American honors at West Point.
Breidster actually started to excel at the game as a 200-pound tackle for East. He led his team to a city and state championship in 1915. After graduation from East. Breidster played a year at Wisconsin before receiving an appointment to West Point.
Now 230 pounds, Breidster starred at guard and earned All American honors for Army. He was selected captain of the team and led Army to a win over arch-rival Navy in 1922. Breidster went on to command the 121st Field Artillery, 32nd Division in WWII and earned the Legion of Merit and Oak Leaf Cluster.
| Brennan, Terry:
Terry Brennan's athletic career started at Marquette University High School and extended to Notre Dame. Brennan was an eight-letter winner in football, hockey and track at Marquette High. He captained the 1944 conference championship football team and ran the offense from his halfback position. Brennan also led the hockey team in scoring as a junior and senior and held the school pole vault and high hurdle records in track and field.
Brennan earned a scholarship to Notre Dame and started all four of his years in football as a wide receiver. He was the leading receiver and scorer on the Irish team that won the 1946 and '47 teams.
Brennan also won the 1947 middleweight collegiate boxing championship. He later returned to Notre Dame as the head football coach.
| | Return to Table | Bridgeman, Junior:
Junior Bridgeman was one of the Milwaukee Bucks' most consistent scorers of the late 1970s and early 80s. He played in 711 games for the Bucks, but started only 105. Bridgeman became known as one of the top sixth men in the NBA during his era.
Bridgeman averaged just under 14 points per game at guard and small forward. He was acquired in one of the biggest trades in Bucks' history, coming to Milwaukee with three other players for Kareem Abdul Jabbar. He was traded to the L.A. Clippers at the end of his career in another big deal, which brought Terry Cummings to Milwaukee.
Bridgeman established business ties in Milwaukee, which he continued to pursue after his retirement from basketball.
| Buck, Howard P. "Cub":
Howard "Cub" Buck of Eau Claire was one of the first American mammoth lineman. Bucks starred for the University of Wisconsin and Green Bay Packers a at a hefty 280 pounds.
Buck never missed a game in his three years at UW, 1913-15. He was selected to the Western Conference team and All American teams. After his graduation, Buck played for the Canton Bulldogs and coached at his alma mater, Carleton and Lawrence College.
He joined Lambeau's Packers in 1922 and starred as a lineman and kicker. Buck scored 60 points on 24 extra points and 12 field goals in his four years as a Packer. After his retirement as a player, Buck coached at the University of Miami before leaving football to enter the automobile business.
| | Return to Table | Buckstaff, John Day:
John D. Buckstaff loved sailing, but on the frozen waterways of Wisconsin winters. Buckstaff, a native of Oskkosh, became a legendary skipper of ice boating. He was the champion of the Inland Lake Yachting Association for many years and once hit a speed of 143 miles-per-hour on Lake Winnebago in 1938. That earned him a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Buckstaff also won several Stuart Cup trophies, considered the most coveted award in ice sailing. Buckstaff's most famous boat became The Flying Dutchman, now considered a legend in the sport.
| Canadeo, Tony:
Tony Canadeo was known as the Gray Ghost at Gonzaga University because of his prematurely gray hair and spectacular running. Green Bay Packers' fans saw plenty of the ghost during his years with the Green and Gold.
Canadeo accounted for 8,211 total yards in offense in his years with the Packers. He was a triple threat and more, rushing, receiving, passing, returning kicks and punts. Canadeo averaged 5.8 yards every time he touched the ball, and that statistic includes incomplete passes. His biggest season was 1940, when he rushed for 1,052 yards on 208 carries - after starting the season with a broken wrist.
| | Return to Table | Carpenter, Connie:
Carpenter, a two-time Olympian in two different sports, is one of the most versatile athletes ever from Wisconsin. Shortly before her fifteenth birthday, Carpenter finished seventh in the 1,500-meter speed skating event at the 1972 Winter Olympics. Carpenter went on to win the U.S. outdoor overall speed skating championship in 1976. Carpenter then began competitive cycling and went on to win national championships in 1976, 1977 and 1979. While at the University of California-Berkeley, Carpenter was a member of the 1980 national collegiate championship crew team. In 1984, Carpenter capped off her competitive athletic career by winning a gold medal in cycling at the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Carpenter retired at the age of 27 from cycling with 12 national championships and four world titles.
| Davis, Willie:
Willie Davis came to the Green Bay Packers from the Cleveland Browns as an underachieving defensive lineman and under Vince Lombardi because one of the all-time great defensive ends. Davis earned All Pro honors five times and played in five Pro Bowls.
Davis held the all-time Packers' record for fumble recoveries and became one of the premier pass rushers of his era. He was a major contributor to five NFL titles in the 1960s.
Davis, who played his college football at Grambling, was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame. After his football career, Davis became a successful businessman, owning radio stations and other businesses.
| | Return to Table | Daw, Charles "Chuck":
Chuck Daw burst on the national bowling scene in 1923, when Milwaukee hosted the American Bowling Congress tournament. Daw set a record of 2,014 pins in the tourney and established himself as one of the top bowlers in the country.
Before his career was over, Daw won three ABC crowns, the national team and individual titles, the Olympic three-man medal at the 1936 Games in Berlin, with fellow Hall of Famers Ned Day and Hank Marino as teammates, and too many state and city titles to count.
Daw became famous for a powerful hook, but also for his sportsmanship and class.
| Dilweg, LaVern "Lavvie":
La Vern "Lavvie" Dilweg starred as an end for three football teams in Wisconsin. Dilweg starred at Washington High School in Milwaukee before entering Marquette University. With Marquette, he earned All American honors while also earning a law degree.
Dilweg first played pro ball for the Milwaukee Badgers, who folded midway in the season. He then moved to Green Bay, where he played for the Packers from 1929-31 while also practicing law.
Dilweg played before the forward pass was a big part of the game, but he caught 14 passes and was known as a devastating blocker. He also played defense. After he retired from football, Dilweg continued to practice law and was elected to Congress. He later received Presidential appointments John Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson.
| | Return to Table | Doleschal, Janis:
Janis Doleschal had her biggest impact on Wisconsin sports as director of sports and athleteics for Milwaukee Public Schools. She organized the first female sports programs in MPS and later oversaw hundreds of teams and sports in the school district.
Doleschal was a physical education major at UW-La Crosse, where she earned her bachelors'sdegree. She received a MA from the University of Wisconsin and a Masters in Divinity from the Theological Seminar in Indiana.
She served as a pastor, phy ed teacher and English professor at the Milwaukee Area Technical College before joining MPS. She also worked in many other areas of women's sports. In 1997, she was named the Wisconsin Athletic Directors A.D. of the Year.
| | Return to Table | Dorais, Charles E. "Gus":
Charlies "Gus" Dorais often is credited for inventing the forward pass when he faded back and threw one to a Notre Dame teammates in a 1913 game. Dorais of Chippewa Falls gained nationwide attention for the pass that helped the Irish beat powerful Army.
But, Dorais, who stood only 5-7 and weighed 145 pounds, had many other accomplishments. He captained the Notre Dame team that also included Knute Rockne, as player.
After graduation from college, Dorais coached at Loras College, Notre Dame and the University of Detroit, where he also served as athletic director. He coached the College All Stars to an upset of the Green Bay Packers in 1937. Dorais also coaches the Detroit Lions in the NFL from 1943-47.
| Dunn, Joseph A. "Red":
Milwaukee native Red Dunn starred for two Wisconsin football teams. First, he led Marquette to a 17-1 overall record and two undefeated seasons in 1922 and 23. Dunn was said to be one of the most versatile players of his day. He ran, passed and punted the football and was selected captain of the team.
After graduation from Marquette, Dunn started at quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, who won championships in 1929-30-31. Once again, Dunn's versatility proved to be a key for the Packers.
| | Return to Table | Fenske, Charles "Chuck":
Chuck Fenske didn't even go out for track and cross country until his senior year at West Allis High School, but before his track career was over he won a NCAA mile championship, set or tied six world records, won six Big Ten titles and won the mile, half mile and two mile in every dual and triangular met during his senior year at the University of Wisconsin.
Fenske won the famed Mile of the Century at Princeton, besting the legendary Glenn Cunningham. His Wisconsin ties went beyond UW, since he also starred for one year at Carroll College.
| Fitzgerald, Jim:
Jim Fitzgerald made his fortune in cable television and other industries, but he will always be best known in Wisconsin as the principal owner of the Milwaukee Bucks during the Don Nelson era. The Janesville native was known as an affable owner who had the sense to leave the basketball to the basketball people, but also provided strong leadership for the overall operation from the top.
"Fitz" and Nelson had a handshake agreement for their years together. It worked well, as the Bucks made the playoffs year after year. Fitzgerald also was one of the founders of Sportsvue cable network. After selling the Bucks, Fitgerald bought the Golden State Warriors in the Bay area, where he again teamed with Nelson.
| | Return to Table | Foster, Harold E. "Bud":
Harold "Bud" Foster was part of the University of Wisconsin athletic program for more than five decades. Foster's involvement started as a basketball player for fellow Hall member Walter Meanwell from 1929-30. He earned all conference and All American honors in 1930.
Foster briefly played pro basketball in Chicago and Oshkosh, but later returned to UW to succeed Meanwell as coach of the Badgers. Under Foster, UW won three Big Ten titles and a national championship in 1941. He remained at Wisconsin as a coach and administrator.
| Gantner, Jim:
Jim "Gumby" Gantner played baseball in Wisconsin his entire life from Little League to the Major Leagues. He was drafted in the 12th round of the amateur draft in 1974 by the Milwaukee Brewers. Gantner made his Major League debut on September 3, 1976 and played in 1,801 games for the Brewers from 1976 to 1992. Gantner finished his prolific playing career with 1,696 hits, a career batting average of .274, 47 home runs and 568 RBI. Gantner's statistics place him among the Brewers' all-time leaders in almost every offensive category. One of the most popular Milwaukee Brewers of all time, Gantner helped the Brewers to the American League Pennant in 1982. During that year he batted a career high .295. He was named the team MVP in 1984.
| Gehrmann, Don:
Don Gehrmann gave an early hint of what kind of distance runner he would become when he won the state cross country championship in 1945 as a high school runner. From there, Gehrmann went on to great things as a member of coach Tom Jones' legendary teams at UW.
Gehrmann was the only runner in Big Ten history to win the conference mile championship four times. He won the coveted Wanamaker Mile at Madison Square Garden in 1949. Gehrmann generally was considered one of the most dominant distance runners of his time.
| | Return to Table | Gillespie, Earl:
Legendary broadcaster Earl Gillespie will forever be known as the "voice of the Milwaukee Braves". Gillespie called 11 years of Braves games on the radio from 1953-1964. Gillespie's longest radio tenure was as voice of Wisconsin Badger football for 30 years from 1957-1986. Gillespie's radio career also saw him announce Green Bay Packers football (1952-1956), three NFL Championship Games (1953-1955) and two World Series (1957-1958). Gillespie was also the sports director at WITI-TV in Milwaukee for 21 years until his retirement in 1985. Gillespie is an eight-time winner of the "Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year" award, including four consecutive years from 1966-1969.
| Goldenberg, Charles:
Russian-born Charles "Buckets" Goldenberg moved to Milwaukee as a child and immediately took to the American game of football. Goldenberg starred as a tackle and back for North Division High School and later for the University of Wisconsin.
It was as a blocking back and guard for the Green Bay Packers that Goldenberg really earned his game. He teamed with Mike Michalske and Cal Hubbard to open holes for the likes of fellow Hall members Clarke Hinkle and Johnny Blood.
Goldenberg was a give-time All Pro selection as a guard and linebacker. He also played basketball, where he earned his "Buckets" name, and wrestled during the off-season. After his retirement from athletics, Goldenberg owned a restaurant in Milwaukee.
| | Return to Table | Grimes, Burleigh Arland:
Burleigh Grimes always will be known as a spitballer, but the Wisconsin product was a fine overall pitcher. Grimes recorded a 270-212 record with a 3.53 ERA. He also was 3-4 in World Series games.
Known as "Old Stubblebeard," Grimes was known as tough competitor who was said to consider an intentional walk as four pitches as the batter's head. Grimes made four World Series appearances, had five 20-win seasons and led the National League in complete games four times. He twice led the league in wins.
Grimes also managed the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1937-38. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown in 1964.
| Grimm, Charles:
Charlie Grimm earned the nickname "Jolly Cholly" for his good-natured personality and humor, but few were more competitive as a player and manager. Grimm became one of the best fielding first baseman of his era for the Philadelphia Athletics, St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs.
Grimm twice managed the Cubs. He coached the Milwaukee Brewers in the American Association in 1950 and caught the eye of Boston Braves' owner Lou Perini. Grimm managed the Braves in Boston for a season and then became the first manager of the Milwaukee Braves. He remained with the team from 1953-56.
Grimm ended his time in baseball in the broadcast booth.
| | Return to Table | Hahn, Archie:
Archie Hahn developed his running style while a boy running in the hills around Dodgeville. Hahn refined them in a variety of amateur competitions and then excelled in the Olympics. In 1904, he won four Gold Medals in Olympic sprints and along with Carl Lewis is one of only two sprinters to ever win the 100-meter spring in back-to-back Olympic Games. After competing at Michigan, he ran for the Milwaukee Athletic Club track team.
In 1908, Hahn entered coaching and participated in an ill-fated professional track attempt. He coached at several schools on both coasts and eventually at Michigan, Princeton and Virginia.
| Harder, Marlin "Pat":
Pat Harder first started getting noticed at Washington High School, where he scored a record 143 points in eight football games. He also won the state low hurdles championship and captained the Washington baseball team.
Harder went to the University of Wisconsin and starred in the backfield, as a kicker and kick returner. He earned All American honors in 1942 and led the College All Stars to a win over the Washington Redskins a year later.
Harder went on to play two roles in the NFL, first as a player for the Chicago Cardinals and Detroit Lions and later as one of the most respected officials in the league.
| | Return to Table | Hauser, Joe "Unser Choe":
Babe Ruth, Henry Aaron, Roger Maris, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds, Joe Hauser. Not that many baseball fans in the country would recognize that last name on that list of home run hitters, but Joe "Unser Choe" Hauser was a prolific slugger in the days when minor league baseball was practically the equivalent of many major league teams today.
Hauser twice hit more than 60 home runs in a single season. First, he hit 63 in 1930. He followed that with 69 in 1933 for Minneapolis of the American Association. The Milwaukee native played most of his career in the minors, but became a legend in his time.
| Heiden-Reid, Beth:
As a competitor in speed skating, cycling, track and cross-country skiing, Heiden is among the most prolific women athletes in U.S. history. As a speed skater, she stands as the most successful U.S. women's all-around skater ever, winning all four individual races on the way to the overall title in the 1979 World All-around Championships, and adding to that a silver in 1980. She skated on the 1976 and 1980 Olympic teams, winning bronze in the 3000 meters in Lake Placid. She was a member of eight U.S. Senior World speed skating teams and four U.S. Junior World teams, winning many single-event medals in addition to the 1979 overall title. In bicycling she is one of only two U.S. women to ever win the World Road Championship, taking gold in Sallanches, France in 1980 as the culmination of a career that included four U.S. National titles. In cross country skiing she won the NCAA championship for the University of Vermont in 1983, along with the NCAA College Athletics award as one of the top five student athletes in the U.S.
| Heiden, Eric:
Speedskater Eric Heiden accomplished what no Olympian had ever done up to 1980 when he won five gold medals in the winter games at Lake Placid. The Madison native took home more gold medals individually than 12 nations did combined.
A quiet, humble athlete, Heiden combined with his sister, Beth, to dominate the speedskating world in the late 1970s and early 80s. Heiden won the overall world title in 1977, 78 and 79. That set him up for his Olympic triumph.
After retiring from speedskating, Heiden completed in cycling and won the U.S.professional championship in 1985. He also earned his medical degree from Stanford and became a doctor. He remained involved in speedskating as a commentator for TV for a decade.
| | Return to Table | Herber, Arnie:
Arnie Herber lived the boyhood dream of starring for his hometown team. After playing at Green Bay West High School and Regis College, Herber became the quarterback of the Green Bay Packers.
Herber joined the Packers as a 20-year-old rookie in 1930 and threw a touchdown pass in his first game. He went on to throw 65 more, as he led the Packers to four titles. Herber led the NFL in passing three times and was pick All Pro in 1932. He and his favorite target, Don Hutson, became legendary for their long pass plays.
Herber retired from the Packers in 1940, but came out of retirement in 1944 to play for the New York Giants. He added 15 more touchdown passes and led the Giants to a title before retiring for good in 1945.
| Heselton, Bernard "Bernie":
For almost three decades, Bernie Heselton passionately dedicated himself to St. Lawrence athletics. Heselton's football teams won six Midwest Conference championships during his 26 years at the school.
Heselton's teams were especially known for their conference rivalry with Ripon. Heselton and Ripon coach Carl Doehling were good friends off the field, but intense rivals when their teams met on the field. The Doehling-Heselton trophy is given to the winner of the annual game to this day.
| | Return to Table | Hinkle, William "Clarke":
William "Clarke" Hinkle was said to have a combination of power and speed that was rare for his day. He was also a versatile player for the Green Bay Packers, playing fullback, linebacker and kicker.
Hinkle starred for the Packers from 1932-41. He made All Pro four times and led the team in scoring in 1937-38. In 1938, he also led the NFL in scoring with 58 points.
Hinkle's versatility earned him selection to the NFL All Time 2-Way Team in 1994.
| Hirsch, Elroy "Crazylegs":
Elroy Hirsch is said to have been dubbed Crazy Legs by a Chicago sportswriter who described his running style as that of a "demented duck." But, oh, could Crazy Legs run. Hirsch came out of Wausau to star at the University of Wisconsin and Michigan. He earned All American honors at UW, then transferred to Michigan to also enter a Navy training program during WWII.
Hirsch was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams, but started his pro career in the American football league. He switched to the Rams in 1949 and helped the team to NFL division titles in 1949, 50 and 51 as a wide receiver. He played in three Pro Bowls.
Hirsch did some acting while linked to L.A., but returned to his home state to become athletic director at UW. Hirsch was named to the NFL 50th anniversary all-time team.
| | Return to Table | Holum, Diane:
Diane Holum won four Olympic medals in speedskating. In the 1968 Games, she tied for the silver medal in the 500 with fellow Americans Mary Meyers and Jennifer Fish. Holum won the gold in the 1000 in the 1972 Games at Sapporo, Japan, and took the silver in the 3,000.
After her years as a competitive skater, Holum became a respected coach, who coached her daughter and top-rated skater, Kirstin.
| Hornung, Paul:
Paul Hornung got the title The Golden Boy while earning the Heisman Trophy at Notre Dame, but it was under coach Vince Lombardi with the Green Bay Packers that he actually earned it. Hornung became a key ingredient in the famed Packers' run-to-daylight sweep. A triple threat, Hornung held the Packers' scoring record at one time.
Despite the fact his career was interrupted by injury, military obligations and a gambling scandal, Hornung became a legend with the Packers. After retirement from football, he continued to do some broadcasting work and remained one of the most popular former Packers in Green Bay.
| | Return to Table | Hutson, Donald "Don":
Don Hutson often is looked at as the first great receiver in NFL history. The Alabama native led the Green Bay Packers in scoring in 1934-35 and again from 1930-45. He led the NFL in scoring six times and finished his career with 99 touchdown receptions, which still rank among the all-time leaders.
Hutson led the NFL in receiving eight times and also kicked and played defensive end. He once scored 29 points in one quarter.
A four-time All Pro player, Hutson was selected to the NFL 50-Year Team and 76th anniversary team. Many consider him the premier receiver of the 20th Century.
| Jansen, Dan:
Speedskater Dan Jansen captured our hearts with his failures as much as with his victories. The West Allis native entered the 1988 Winter Olympics as the favorite at a couple distances, but after learning only hours before that his sister had died he still raced and fell - not once but twice.
Jansen continued to train hard after that disappointment and continued to win medals in World Cup competition. But, when he slipped again in the 500 meters, it looked like he might never win Olympic gold. Finally, in the 1,000 meters, Jansen set a world record and won the gold. He made an emotional victory lap to the cheers of the world.
In addition to that Olympic gold, Jansen won more than 30 World Cup races, more than 50 World Cup medals and 20 World Championship medals. After retiring from skating, Jansen did TV work and established the Dan Jansen Foundation for research into leukemia, which claimed the life of his sister.
| | Return to Table | Jennings, Conrad M.:
Conrad Jennings helped built the Marquette University athletic program as a coach and athletic director. He coached track from 1922 to 1948 and developed such stars as Ralph Metcalfe, John Sisk and Gene Ronzani.
Jennings served as MU athletic director and helped build the reputation of the school's program. He was responsible for bringing many of the top track and field athletes in the country to compete in AAU events, Central Collegiate Conference championships and Olympic trials.
| Johnson, Bob "Badger Bob":
Bob Johnson had a major impact on amateur and professional hockey in and out of Wisconsin. "Badger Bob" coached the University of Wisconsin Badgers to three NCAA championships (1973-76 and 81). He established the UW hockey program as one of the best in the country.
In 1976, Johnson coached the U.S. Olympic team. After being wooed by the NHL for years, he coached Calgary and Pittsburgh, leading the Penquins to their first Stanley Cup title.
| | Return to Table | Johnson, Mark:
As a University of Wisconsin freshman, Mark Johnson led the Badgers to the 1977 NCAA Championship. Johnson, UW hockey's second all-time leading scorer, lead the 1980 "Miracle On Ice" U.S. Olympic Team in scoring with his game-winning goal won the gold medal. Johnson had an 11-year NHL career that included stops with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Minnesota North Stars, Hartford Whalers, St. Louis Blues and New Jersey Devils. Johnson captained and made an all-star game appearance while with the Whalers. Following a stellar pro career, Johnson, like his father-1993 Hall of Fame inductee Bob Johnson, started a successful coaching career. A two-time first-team All-American and the 1979 WCHA Most Valuable Player, Johnson is a 1991 charter member of the National W Club Hall of Fame, a 1999 inductee into the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame and in 2001 was selected as one of the WCHA's "Top 50 Players in 50 Years."
| Jones, David J. "Davy":
Davy Jones started his baseball career with Milwaukee before the National and American Leagues were structured as we know them. Jones averaged .270 over 1,085 games. He hit .265 in 15 World Series games.
Jones played for Milwaukee, the Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates. He was probably best known for being part of a Tigers' outfield that included Ty Cobb and Sam Crawford. In fact, Jones was credited with keeping the crabby Cobb and sometimes pugnacious Crawford out of several altercations while playing with them.
| | Return to Table | Jones, Thomas E. Sr.:
Tom Jones put Wisconsin track on the map from 1913-48. During his long tenure as coach, UW track teams won 15 Big Ten titles, including nine in cross country.
Jones is given credit for developing such stars as fellow state Hall of Famers Chuck Fenske, Don Gehrmann and Arlie Mucks. Jones also served as an assistant Olympics track coach in 1948.
Along with Alonzo Stagg and John Griffith, Jones is credited with starting the NCAA outdoor track championships. He is a member of the USA Track and Field Hall of Fame.
| Joss, Adrian C. "Addie":
Wisconsin-born Addie Joss had a 160-97 record in nine seasons before succumbing to a rare form of tubercular meningitis. Joss recorded a 1.89 ERA, the second best in baseball history and won 20 or more games four straight seasons for the Cleveland team, which was called several names over the time period.
Joss pitched 45 shutouts, more than a quarter of his wins in the majors. He pitched two no-hitters, his first in 1908 a perfect game against the White Sox. He threw three one-hit games in the 1907 season.
Joss was said to have a great fastball and wicked breaking stuff. He made several old-timers' hardest to hit lists. Joss was inducted into Cooperstown in 1978.
| | Return to Table | Keltner, Kenneth "Ken":
Ken Keltner played 11 seasons for the Cleveland Indians and was selected an All Star third baseman seven times. But, the Milwaukee native always will be best known for making two great fielding plays that robbed Joe DiMaggio of hits and ended The Yankee Clippers 56-game hitting streak on July 17, 1941.
Keltner also hit a single, double and three-run home run in the first American League playoff game. His contributions helped the Indians beat the Boston Red Sox in that 1948 game. Keltner had 31 homers and 119 RBI in that season.
In 1,526 major league games, Keltner averaged .276 with 163 homers and 852 RBI.
| Kuenn, Harvey:
Harvey Kuenn grew up playing sandlot ball in West Allis and Milwaukee leagues. He learned the game well and went on to a 15-year playing career in the majors. He will always be best known in Wisconsin as the manager of the 1982 American League champion Brewers, dubbed "Harvey's Wallbangers."
Kuenn averaged .303 while playing for the Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Indians, San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers. He won the 1959 American League batting title by hitting .353 for the Tigers.
He worked for the Brewers as a coach before taking over the 1982 club from Buck Rodgers. He won the Associated Press and United Press International American League Manager of the Year awards in '82.
| | Return to Table | Kindt, Don:
Don Kindt was a two-way star at Milwaukee Washington High School, the University of Wisconsin and for the Chicago Bears in the NFL. Kindt made all conference as a defensive back and halfback and was recruited by Wisconsin.
Kindt attended Wisconsin for one year, then went into the Army and returned to star for the Badgers in 1945-46. The Bears drafted Kindt first in 1947. He played from 1947-55 for the Bears and was picked an All Pro defensive back in 1954.
Don Kindt was a two-way star at Milwaukee Washington High School, the University of Wisconsin and for the Chicago Bears in the NFL. Kindt made all conference as a defensive back and halfback and was recruited by Wisconsin.
Kindt attended Wisconsin for one year, then went into the Army and returned to star for the Badgers in 1945-46. The Bears drafted Kindt first in 1947. He played from 1947-55 for the Bears and was picked an All Pro defensive back in 1954.
| Konetchy, Edward John:
Ed Konetchy managed to record several records during his playing days in major league baseball. He once recorded hits in 10 consecutive at-bats in 1919. He also played in the longest game in history, a 26-inning contest in 1920.
Konetchy played in 2,083 games, posting a .281 average with 74 homers and 992 RBI. He played in seven World Series games. His best years were as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals. In 1911, he led the National League with 38 doubles while with the Cards.
Konetchy ended his career in the Texas League with Fort Worth. He hit .345 with 41 homers in 1925.
| | Return to Table | Kraenzlein, Dr. Alvin C.:
Alvin Kraenzlein first started drawing attention for his speed in the Milwaukee neighborhood where he grew up. He continued running through prep and other levels of compeition and then reached his peak at the 1900 Olympics.
Kraenzlein won four Gold Medals in those Games, a feat that stood for years. He was said to have a fluid, yet powerful stride and to look as comfortable running as most people do sleeping. After his competitive track career, Kraenzlein practiced medicine.
| Kramer, Jerry:
Jerry Kramer became known as a great pulling guard in the Green Bay Packers' run-to-daylight sweep. He often led the way for Paul Hornung and Jim Taylor and became known as a devastating blocker with great technique. Kramer earned All Pro honors. He also served as the Packers' place kicker at times.
Kramer helped keep the Packers' Glory Years alive through his books, Instand Replay and Distant Replay. Kramer was highly influenced by coach Vince Lombardi and continued to spread the legend's philosophy through his books and public speaking.
| | Return to Table | Krueger, Joseph J.:
Joseph Krueger founded the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame and ran it as a labor of love for decades. Krueger's career was in public service, most notably as city treasurer of Milwaukee.
But, perhaps Krueger's biggest passion was the athletic world. He wrote about sports, including a book on the history of the World Series. Krueger convinced the State Senate to charter the Hall of Fame in 1951, making Wisconsin the first state to have its own Hall. He worked tirelessly on inductions, sponsorship of the ceremonies and banquets and plaques right up to his death.
| Kulwicki, Alan:
Who knows what Alan Kulwicki would have achieved has he lived beyond 39. Kulwicki was an up-and-coming star on the race car circuit before he died in a place crash on April 1, 1993.
Kulwicki learned his craft at local stock car tracks and because a fan favorite. He broke into the Winston Cup competition in a big way, earning Rookie of the Year honors in 1986.
In 207 Winston Cup races, Kulwicki earned five wins, finished in the top five 38 times and in the top 10 75 times. He won the NASCAR Winston Cup championship in 1992, only a few months before his tragic death.
| | Return to Table | Lambeau, Earl L. "Curly":
Earl "Curly" Lambeau founded the Green Bay Packers and served as one of the pioneers of the NFL. Lambeau played, coached and served as president of the Packers during his long career. As one longtime Packers' observer said, he even sold programs at times.
While a player-coach, Lambeau pioneered the forward pass. He led the Packers to six championships and accumulated a 212-106-21 record as coach in Green Bay.
Lambeau coached in Green Bay until 1949 and later coached and served in the front office of the Chicago Cardinals and Washington Redskins.
Perhaps the biggest tribute to Lambeau was that the Packers' legendary stadium was named after him.
| Lewellen, Verne:
Before there was Hutson, there was Lewellen for the Green Bay Packers. Verne Lewellen was a standout end before the forward pass was a real weapon in football. Yet, he managed to catch enough passes and score in other ways to finish second in the NFL in scoring in 1928 and 1930 with nine touchdowns.
Lewellen starred for the Packers from 1926-30. After retiring from football, he practiced law and became involved in politics.
| | Return to Table | Lewis, Ed "Strangler":
Robert Friedrich started building his strength while a boy in Nekoosa. He became so strong that, under the name of Ed "Strangler" Lewis, he dominated the sport of wrestling from1914 until he retired in 1940. During his career, Lewis held the uncrowned heavyweight championship five times.
Lewis claimed to have never been defeated during his 26 years and to have passed along the title to others for promotional reasons. Records of the era are too sketchy to confirm this claim, but it is known Lewis beat the likes of Joe Stecher, Yussuf Hussane and other greats of the era.
| Lombardi, Vincent T.:
Few sports figures have taken Wisconsin, or the nation, more by storm than Vince Lombardi did from 1959 until his death in 1970. The Lombardi Era in Green Bay has gone down as a golden era in pro football history.
Lombardi's teams had a 89-29-4 record and won the first two Super Bowls, but he became more than a football coach. His tough love philosophy became part of education and business techniques.
Like Curly Lambeau, the other Packers' legend, Lombardi ended up going to the Washington Redskins after his years in Green Bay. While with the Skins, he was diagnosed with cancer. He died on July 3, 1970.
| | Return to Table | Luderus, Frederick William:
Before Cal Ripken, or even Lou Gehrig, Milwaukee's Fred Luderus was considered the Iron Man of baseball. Luderus played in 528 consecutive games, a record at the time, for the Philadelphia Phillies. From 1909-1920, Luderus was considered the most durable player in baseball.
Luderus learned his baseball on the Milwaukee sandlots in the early 1900s. He signed with the Chicago Cubs in 1909 and then was traded to the Phillies. Luderus, a first baseman, became the captain of the team. He showed power before the home run was common in the game.
Luderus' best year was 1915, when he hit .315 to finish second in the National League in batting and led the Phillies to the World Series, where they lost to Boston. After his retirement as a player in 1920, Luderus managed several minor league teams until 1933. He then retired to live in Wisconsin.
| Marchese, Carl:
Carl Marchese dominated auto racing in Wisconsin as a driver, but had a lasting impact on the sport as a car owner and race official. Marchese won numerous state races and finished fourth in the 1929 Indianapolis 500. That would be Marchese's only Indy 500.
As a midget car owner and designer, Marchese was credited with many innovations, including the tube frame and and supercharged engine. Marchese also was the first president of the Wisconsin Racing Association.
| | Return to Table | Marino, Enrico "Hank":
Back in the days when Milwaukee was one of the nation's bowling hotbeds, Enrico "Hank" Marino often ignited the coals. Marino competed for more than 50 years and was one of the top bowlers in the world when he played for the Heil Products team in the 1930s.
Marino was national singles champ from 1934 to 1938, stepping down only because of illness. In 1936, he won the all events title in the International Bowling Tournament in Berlin, Germany.
Originally from Chicago, Marin0 first established himself as a top bowler while competing in that city. He moved to Milwaukee in 1930 to operate an alley and blossomed further while on the Heil team. He had 11 perfect games, including two in one series (300-232-300).
Marino was named "bowler of the half century" by the American Bowling Congress in 1951 and was inducted into the ABC Hall of Fame.
| Martin, Shirley:
Shirley Martin was a true pioneer in women's sports in Wisconsin. The Rib Lake native moved to Milwaukee in 1943 because she wanted to play softball and basketball. She made her first trip to the AAU national basketball tournament in 1944.
Martin starred in basketball in the winter, sporting a sweeping hook shot, fastpitch softball in the summer and field hockey in the fall. Martin played sports into her 60s. She became the oldest person to play in a national AAU basketball tourney when she participated in the national tourney in Texas in 1985.
In addition to playing, Martin coached women's sports. She took a team of American female basketball players to the Soviet Union in 1958. In addition to induction to the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame, Martin was a member of the Nebraska Hall of Fame, the AAU Hall of Fame and received the first lifetime achievement award from the Women's Sports Advocates of Wisconsin.
| | Return to Table | Mathews, Edwin Lee:
Few players had more to do with the excitement of the Braves years in Milwaukee than Eddie Mathews. Known as the "Santa Barbara Bomber," Mathews hit 47 home run in the first year in Milwaukee. He went on to finish his career with 512, more than another other third baseman and tying him with the Cubs' Ernie Banks among the all-time sluggers.
Mathews' dramatic homer in the 1957 World Series kept the Classic alive, so the Braves could win the championship in New York. He and Henry Aaron became symbols of the Braves years. Mathews later managed the Braves when Aaron broke Babe Ruth's career home run record.
| McBride, George F.:
George McBride was considered the American League's premier fielding shortstop of his day. While with the Washington Senators, McBride led the league in fielding four straight seasons (1912-15).
McBride also led the league in double plays six times and in putouts three times. McBride averaged only .218 at the plate in his career, but earned the nickname "Pinch" for his ability to come through in a pinch.
After retiring as a player, McBride managed the Senators in 1921 until he was struck in the face by a ball, paralyzing one side of his face. He later coaches for Ty Cobb in Detroit.
| | Return to Table | McGlocklin, Jon:
Jon McGlocklin will always be known as the "Original Buck", since he was associated with the Milwaukee Bucks since their start in 1969. McGlocklin played for the Bucks for eight seasons, was the first member of the team to ever play in an All Star gameand was an important member of the 1971 World Championship team.
His "rainbow jumper" thrilled fans for years. Before playing for the Bucks, he was a standout at Indiana and played in the NBA for the Cincinnati Royals. McGlocklin stayed with the Bucks as a radio and TV announcer after his retirement. He was a founder of the MACC (Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer) Fund, which helps the battle against childhood cancer.
| McGuire, Al:
Al McGuire was a scrappy New Yorker who made his reputation in Milwaukee. After playing at St. John's University and then the New York Knicks, McGuire got into coaching.
He found his way to Marquette University where he posted a 295-80 record in 13 years and led the Warriors to the 1977 NCAA Championship. He also won a NIT title and generally because known as one of the most colorful coaches in college basketball.
After he retirement from coaching, McGuire earned a reputation as a topnotch TV analyst on a national level. He continued to make his home in Wisconsin until his death in 2001.
| | Return to Table | McNally, John V. "Blood":
Some say Johnny Blood was born in 1924, at 6-2, 190 pounds. Actually, that was the year that Johnny McNally, a New Richmond native who had starred at St. John's College and showed promise at Notre Dame, became known as Blood because he wanted to play for a semi-pro team in Minneapolis.
McNally stole the name from the movie, "Blood and Sand." He would make it a well-known name, first for that semi-pro team, and later for the Green Bay Packers and other pro teams. Blood scored 224 points as a Packer and became the first great receiver in team history, preceding Don Hutson.
Blood became known for his flamboyant play on the field and equally showy antics off the field. He drove coach Curly Lambeau crazy at times, yet the legendary coach also loved his Vagabond Halfback. Blood played 15 seasons in the NFL.
| Meanwell, Dr. Walter E.:
During the years 1911-1934, college basketball opponents of the University of Wisconsin frequently suffered headaches when the "little doctor" made a house call. The doctor was Dr. Walter E. "Doc" Meanwell, UW's coach for most of that period. His teams won 71% of their games and earned eight Big Ten championships.
Meanwell earned his medical degree from the University of Maryland and came to UW to study for a doctorate in public health and to coach wrestling. But, when the basketball coach resigned in 1911, Meanwell was asked to take that job. With the exception of two years at Missouri, he held it for 20 years.
In his first three years as coach, the Badgers won 35 of 36 games. Meanwell's teams were known for a disciplined, passing style of play. He also served as athletic director at UW and later practiced medicine in Madison.
| | Return to Table | Merrill, Dr. Edward Strong:
Dr. Edward Strong Merrill is considered to be the greatest athlete in the history of Beloit College and one of the top athletes of his era in the country. From 1898 through 1901, Merrill starred in baseball, football and track at Beloit. He and the legendary Jim Thorpe were considered by many to be the best athletes of early 1900s.
One day when Beloit played Northwestern in two sports, Merrill set a record in the quarter mile, won the high hurdles, placed in the lows and won or placed in the hammer throw, shot put and discus. He then ran to the baseball diamond in time to his a ninth inning homer as a pinch-hitter.
In a football game against the University of Chicago, Merrill played tackle in the first half and then switched to fullback in the second half with Beloit trailing 17-0. He scored two touchdowns, kicked the extra points and a field goal to earn a 17-17 tie.
| Messmer, John:
John Messmer might have been the most versatile athlete to ever compete at the University of Wisconsin. Messmer won three major letters in track, football and baseball. He also captained the swim team, played some water polo and was a prime candidate for the crew team.
Messmer started his athletic career at Milwaukee East High School, where he broke the national prep discus record in 1905. Messmer earned All Western Conference honors at UW in football and track. He qualified for the 1908 Olympic track team, but withdrew because of a brother's illness. He had the best discus throw in the country at the time.
Messmer also was scouted by pro baseball teams and accompanied the Badger baseball team to Japan in 1909. After graduation, Messmer worked as a surveyor in the Madison area.
| | Return to Table | Metcalfe, Ralph H.:
Jesse Owens became a legend for striking a blow for freedom in the 1936 Olympics, hosted by Adolph Hitler in Germany, but fewer people know the fleet athlete finishing second to Owens in the news reels. It was Ralph Metcalfe, a Marquette track star. Metcalfe was the National Intercollegiate champion and record holder in the 100 and 220-yard dashes from 1932-34.
Metcalfe won a silver medal in the 100 and bronze in the 220 in the 1932 Olympics, but it was in the 1936 Games that he teamed with Owens and other African American athletes to stick it to Hitler. Metcalfe finished second to Owens in the famous 100-yard dash and teamed with Owens and two other Americans to set a record in the 400-relay gold medal race.
After retiring as an athlete, Metcalfe coached track and became a Congressman from Chicago.
| Michalske, August "Mike":
Wisconsin's own August "Mike" Michalske often is referred to as "The Guard of the Century." Michalske was a brutal blocker and ultimate team player for the Green Bay Packers.
After playing high school football in the state, Michalske went to Penn State, where he became a star. In his senior year, when he was a virtual lock to become an All American at guard, he switched to fullback, when the team needed one. He passed on the All American honor, but earned the reputation as an unselfish team player.
Michalske helped the Packers win three championships in 1929-30-31. Known as "Iron Mike," he was selected All Pro four times.
| | Return to Table | Mitchell, Richard H. "Richie":
Richie Mitchell never won a world boxing title, but his impact on the sport in Milwaukee and Wisconsin was huge. Mitchell was a world class lightweight from 1912-1923. He fought almost every ranked boxer in his weight class during that period.
Mitchell fought only three amateur bouts and was fighting main event bouts within a year of turning pro. He earned the Navy championship by defeating Joe Welling of Milwaukee. His most famous fights were against Benny Leonard in 1917 and 1921. He lost them both, but fought so hard that the fights reached legendary status.
| Molitor, Paul:
Paul Molitor became known as The Ignitor for the Milwaukee Brewers for 15 seasons. He came up as a shortstop in 1978 and played all infield positions and a couple outfield spots during his career with the Brewers.
Molitor combined speed, power and baseball savvy to become one of the biggest threats in baseball. He was a key ingredient in the Harvey's Wallbangers team that won the American League pennant.
Perhaps his best-known individual feat with the Brewers was his 39-game hitting streak. Molitor finished his career in Toronto, where he won a World Championship, and Minnesota, where he reached the 3,000 hit mark. But, Molitor decided to enter Cooperstown as a Brewer and was a member of the first class of the Walk of Fame outside Miller Park.
| | Return to Table | Moncrief, Sidney:
Sidney Moncrief was considered one of the best all around players in the NBA when he starred for the Milwaukee Bucks. "Sir Sid" averaged 15.6 points per gamein his 11 pro seasons, but also was a tenacious rebounder for standing 6-4 and was a four-time NBA All Defensive team selection. He twice was selected the NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
Moncrief was drafted in 1970 after he had earned All American honors at Arkansas. He was a two-time All American and led the Razorbacks to three Southwest Conference titles.
After retiring from the Bucks, Moncrief sat out one season and then came back to play one year for the Atlanta Hawks. He later went into private business, coached collegiate basketball and joined his former Bucks' coach, Don Nelson, as an assistant coach in Dallas.
| Mucks, Arlie M.:
Arlie Mucks holds the distinction of being the first public high school athlete to ever represent the U.S. in the Olympics. The Oshkosh native competed in the discus in the Stockholm Olympics. His U.S. teammates included George S. Patton, who later became a legendary general, and Jim Thorpe, thought by many to be the greatest athlete of all time.
The Olympics accomplishment was not the only noteworthy one for Mucks. He earned All American honors as a tackle for the University of Wisconsin football team and also was one of the best punters of the time. He won the Big Ten shot put title and set a national record in the discus. He also competed in the broad jump. After his playing days ended, Mucks became a respected football official.
| | Return to Table | Murray, Frank J.:
Frank J. Murray made his reputation on the sidelines of football fields as coach at Marquette and the University of Virginia. Murray coached Marquette from 1922 through 1936, went to Virginia for nine years and then returned to his first love of MU.
Murray was an early exponent of spread formations and flanker plays. He often ran a T formation, considered very innovative at the time.
Marquette eventually dropped football, but Murray's feats will always keep the memory of the sport alive at the school.
| Nevers, Ernest "Ernie":
Ernie Nevers became a legend at Stanford in California and in Chicago, but he first started building to legendary status while living in Superior, Wisconsin. Nevers showed great promise as a young football player in Superior.
His family moved to California while Nevers was finishing high school. Nevers went to Stanford, where he became an All American fullback. He became the team captain and led Stanford to a 21-5-1 record during his years at the school.
After college, Nevers played pro football for the Duluth Eskimos in 1926. Known by that time as the "Blond Blizzard of Superior," Nevers went on to earn All Pro honors with the Chicago Cardinals. He set a record of 40 points in one game against the arch-rival Bears on Nov. 28, 1929. Nevers was a great runner, but also could catch, pass and kick the football.
Nevers also had a brief career as a pitcher for the St. Louis Browns. After his playing days, he coaches at Lafayett, Iowa, and Stanford.
| | Return to Table | Nichols, Charles A. "Kid":
Charles "Kid" Nichols of Madison holds some baseball records that very likely will never be broken. Nichols won 30 or more games for seven consecutive seasons. His best record was 35-16 for Boston in 1892. He was 31-11 in 1897 and 32-12 in 1898.
For 10 consecutive seasons, Nichols won 20 or more games. He was said to "have a fast ball that could saw the bat off in your hands." Nichols also had pinpoint control and a smooth, balanced delivery. He attributed his endurance to those qualities.
In 1904, Nichols left Boston to pitch and manage for St. Louis of the National League. He ended his career a season later with Philadelphia.
| Nitschke, Ray:
Ray Nitschke helped define the middle linebacker position while with the Green Bay Packers. Drafted as a fullback from Illinois, Nitschke was switched to middle linebacker and became a tenacious tackler and defender from 1958-72.
Nitschke was selected All Pro three times and was the MVP of the 1962 title game against the New York Giants. He made the NFL 50th and 75th anniversary teams at middle linebacker. He played in the second most games in Packers' history by appearing in 190 contests.
Nitschke was selected to the Packers Hall of Fame in 1978 and to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978. His No. 66 was retired by the Packers in 1983.
After his retirement as a player, Nitschke stayed in the Green Bay area and became an ambassador for the Packers. Known as a gentle man off the field, Nitschke became active in charity and community work. In 1998, a bridge over the Fox River in Green Bay was named after him.
| | Return to Table | North, Andy:
Andy North of Madison became known as Wisconsin's Mr. Golf after winning the U.S. Open in 1978 and 85. But, his success started well before then. He won the Wisconsin Amateur in 1969 and was a three-time All American at the University of Florida.
North joined the PGA Tour in 1972. He won the 1977 American Express Westchester Classic. North became one of only 17 golfers to won the U.S. Open more than once.
North also became known as a designer of courses, an analyst for TV and a member of the Senior PGA Tour.
| O'Dea, Patrick J. "Pat":
Known as the "Kicking Kangaroo," Australian-born Pat O'Dea made his impact on American football while at the University of Wisconsin. Among O'Dea's feats were a 62-yard dropkick field goal against Northwestern in 1898, a 57-yard field goal against Illinois in 1899 and a 110-yard punt - the length of the field in those days -- in 1897 against Minnesota.
In four years at UW, O'Dea averaged 50 yards a punt. He also played fullback and defensive back. O'Dea also competed in track for the Badgers.
After graduation from UW, O'Dea coached Notre Dame for two seasons and Missouri for one. He took a crack at reporting during the Ben Hecht era in Chicago. O'Dea always maintained his interest in football and was a good friend of the legendary Pop Warner.
| | Return to Table | Otto, Jim:
Jim Otto starred for the Oakland Raiders, but his roots were in Wausau, Wisconsin. "Double O" starred for Wausau East, but even after college was considered small for pro football.
Otto went undrafted, but signed as a free agent with the Raiders. He went on to add 50 pounds and become the Raiders' starting center for the next 15 years. He played in 308 NFL games.
Otto played in six title games, 12 Pro Bowls and in the second Super Bowl against the Packers. Perhaps the most impressive stat of all is that Otto survived 37 football-related injuries during his career!
| Parker, Frank A.:
Few, if any, of the members of the Town Tennis Club in Milwaukee during the 1920s realized that the shy, spindly-legged kid who shagged balls would become on of the world's top tennis players. But, Frankie Parker did just that.
For 17 straight years, from 1933-49, Parker was ranked among the Top 10 tennis players in the world. He was rated first in 1944-45. Parker teamed with Jack Kramer in 1943 to win the national doubles title, won the French Open twice and the U.S. clay court title five times. He led five U.S. Davis Cup teams. The only major tournament title to evade Parker was Wimbledon.
Parker turned pro in 1949 and played in pro tennis tourneys until the 1960s. He is a member of the National Law Tennis Hall of Game.
| | Return to Table | Pettit, Jane:
Jane Bradley Pettit had a huge impact on sports, the arts and other civic and charitable causes in Milwaukee and Wisconsin. Her sports impact primarily came through her ownership of the Milwaukee Admirals hockey team and sponsorship of The Bradley Center, named for her family.
Jane also gave millions of dollars to causes throughout the state, often anonymously or through the Bradley Foundation.
| Pettit, Lloyd:
A native of the Milwaukee area, Lloyd Pettit went on to become a Hall of Fame hockey announcer for the Chicago Blackhawks. After retiring as an announcer, Pettit married Jane Bradley and together they ran the Milwaukee Admirals and sponsored The Bradley Center. While hockey was his first love, Pettit was active in the broadcasting and sponsorship of several other sports throughout his career.
| | Return to Table | Poage, George:
Less information might be available on George Poage than any other Hall of Famer, but what is there demonstrates he was a pioneer for African-American athletes. Poage first starred in track at the University of Wisconsin.
In 1904, he became the first African American athlete in history to win a medal in the Olympics. Poage finished third in the 200 and 400 meter races to take bronze medals. Poage was said to have a strong, yet graceful running style that ate up the ground in any race.
| Raymonds, Hank:
Henry C. "Hank" Raymonds served as assistant men's basketball coach at Marquette University under Eddie Hickey and Al McGuire from 1961-1977 and was the program's head coach from 1977 to 1983. During his tenure as head coach, Raymonds compiled a record of 126-60, good for a 71.6 winning percentage. Five of his players were All-America honorees and 16 players were selected in the NBA Draft. All six of his Marquette teams advanced to post-season play, including five trips to the NCAA Tournament and one to the NIT. His '77-78 team went 24-4 and was ranked No. 3 nationally in the final United Press International poll. He was named the 1979 Medalist Sports Education Coach of the Year after that team finished 22-7 and was ranked 10th in the Associated Press poll and 13th by UPI. After his coaching days, he served as the school's athletic director from 1977-87. He was responsible for elevating Marquette's women's athletic teams to Division I status in 1985. Raymonds is a member of the Marquette University, Saint Louis University and Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Halls of Fame.
| Reinders, Victor A. "Vic":
Vic Reinders was born in Iowa, but he made his reputation as a trap shooter in Wisconsin. A chemist at the University of Wisconsin, Reinders earned his way into the National Trapshooting Hall of Fame. He was the national clay target-shooting champion in 1958.
Reinders won 47 state titles and won more All American honors (21) than any shooter in history. He captained the All American team four times. His 98.0546 shooting average from 1961-74 set a record.
Reinders competed in 27 states and provinces and in Australia and New Zealand.
| | Return to Table | Richter, Pat:
Pat Richter starred for the Wisconsin Badgers in one era and led the school's athletic program in another. Richter was UW's last nine-letter winner, earning three each in football, basketball and baseball in the early 1960s. He was an all around athlete, who did not specialize in any one sport but excelled in all three.
Richter led the Big Ten in receiving in 1961. He received the conference Medal of Honor in 1963.
After graduation from UW, Richter was a first round draft choice of the Washington Redskins and played eight years in the NFL. He earned his law degree from UW in 1971 and entered private industry.
When the UW athletic department was struggling financially and competitively, his alma mater called on Richter to become athletic director. Collegiate sports had changed dramatically since the days when he was a three-sport star, but Richter led the program to financial and competitive success in the 1990s.
| Robertson, Oscar:
When the Big O joined the Bucks in 1971, he became the key ingredient that led the team to the NBA championship. Oscar Robertson already was an established star when he joined then Lew Alcindor, later Kareem Abdul Jabbar, to lead the Bucks to the title.
Robertson was the collegiate player of the year three times while leading Cincinnati to the national title. He starred in the 1960 Olympics before starting his NBA career with the Cincinnati Royals. As a rookie, Robertson averaged more than 30 points per game and won Rookie of the Year honors. He became the first player in history to average in triple doubles (30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, 11.4 assists) in his second year in the league.
With the Bucks, Robertson turned more of a playmaker, feeding Jabbar and scoring only when needed. Robertson also was president of the NBA Players Association and is given credit for helping establish free agency for players.
| | Return to Table | Roethlisberger, Fred:
Fred Roethlisberger first became interested in gymastics when his father brought him to the Milwaukee Turners Club as a kid. He built that interest into a fine collegiate career at the University of Minnesota and continued to excel at the national and international level after college.
Roethlisberger won the U.S. Gymastics Federation National Championship in 1964 and competed in the 1968 Olympics. After his competitive days were over, he coached at UW-Whitewater. His son, John, is a three-time Olympian.
| Rogers, Harlan B. "Biddy":
Few athletes captain teams in more than one sport, but Portage's Harlan "Biddy" Rogers did just that at the University of Wisconsin. Rogers captained the 1908 football team and the 1907-08 basketball team on his way to earning nine letters for the Badgers.
An end in football, Rogers was named All Western Conference. He played on offense and defense. In basketball, Rogers played guard and forward and led the Badgers to a tie for the Western Conference title with the University of Chicago in 1908. He scored 25 of his team's 27 points in a win over Chicago, a record at the time.
Rogers also played centerfield for the UW baseball team and toured Japan with the team in 1909. After his graduation, Rogers practiced law and served in several government offices, including a term as district attorney of Columbia County.
| | Return to Table | Rowland, Clarence H. "Pants":
Clarence "Pants" Rowland managed the Chicago White Sox to a 339-247 record from 1915-18. The Wisconsin native also led the Sox to the World Series championship in 1917. He was let go in 1918 despite that title. It turned out to be a great break, since the 1919 team became known as the Black Sox for their infamous betting scandal.
Rowland was a minor league catcher and part-owner of the minor league team before taking the White Sox job. After his stint in Chicago, he served as an American League umpire for five years. Rowland later became president of the Pacific Coast League and served as executive vice-president of the Chicago Cubs in 1954.
| Sanger, Walter C.:
Walter Sanger competed before record-keeping in sports had become a science, but what information is known about the Milwaukee biker is impressive. Sanger earned the nickname "Wooden Shoes" for his footgear as one of the top bike racers of his dayin the 1890s. He won 100 amateur races and 35 as a pro. Sanger was known for his hard-driving legs in the sprint and also for his stamina in longer races.
| | Return to Table | Sangor, "Joey":
Julius Singer was born in Russia in 1903, but it was as Milwaukee's Joey Sangor that he earned the reputation as one of boxing's toughest featherweights and lightweights. Sangor never won a title in either division, but he was a contender in both. The 120-pound battler fought during the era of Jack Dempsey and Gene Tunney.
Sangor's bouts with Bud Taylor, another great of the era, are legendary. He beat Taylor in three of four bouts. Many call a 1926 match between the two men Milwaukee's greatest fight.
The exact record for Sangor is unknown. Ring Magazine records show 75 fights, but Sangor himself said he fought "nearer 100." Sangor left boxing to become a pharmacist, but remained active in the sport as an official with the World Boxing Association.
| Schreiner, David N. "Dave":
David Schreiner died at the age of 25 in Okinawa in WWII, but in his short life he had a big impact on Wisconsin sports. The Lancaster native starred as an end for the University of Wisconsin 1940-42. He earned All American honors two of his years at UW and was co-captain of the Badgers.
Schreiner played both offense and defense. He was a strong blocker as well as solid pass catcher.
Also an exceptional student, Schreiner postponed preparation for a medical career to enter the Marines. He served with distinction in the Pacific before his death in 1945.
| | Return to Table | Selig, Allen "Bud":
Allan H. "Bud" Selig was elected the ninth Commissioner of Baseball on July 9, 1998. A Milwaukee native and lifelong baseball fan, Selig's foray into major league baseball began on April 1, 1970 when he was awarded the Seattle Pilots franchise. Selig relocated the club to his hometown and named the team the Milwaukee Brewers. As president of the Brewers, Selig's club won seven "Organization of the Year" awards and an unprecedented three-straight Baseball America awards from 1985-1987. Selig's Brewers also played in the 1982 World Series losing to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games. Selig was named Chairman of the Major League Executive Council on September 9, 1992 following the resignation of Commissioner Fay Vincent. Selig served a dual role as president of the Milwaukee Brewers baseball club and Chairman of the Executive Council until his appointment as Commissioner.
| Simmons, Aloysius H. "Al":
Al Simmons became known as "The Duke of Milwaukee" because he played like royalty on the baseball diamond. A product of the Milwaukee sandlots, Simmons averaged .334 in the major leagues with 307 home runs, 1,827 RBI and only 73 hits short of 3,000.
From a stance with his foot in the bucket, Simmons became one of the most feared hitters of his era. He had his best years for the Philadelphia Athletics under the legendary Connie Mack.
Simmons played in 19 World Series games and averaged .329. He was known as a fierce competitor and is a member of the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.
| | Return to Table | Sisk, John M. "Johnny":
Johnny Sisk is known by many as a star halfback for the Chicago Bears, but before he became a member of the Packers' arch-rivals he starred in two sports at Marquette University. Sisk earned three letters at Marquette, captained the football team and earned All American honors.
Sisk also became joint record holder in the 40 and 50 yard dashes, and ran the quarter mile on the medley relay team which set a world record. Sisk played five years for the Bears and was an important part of the 1933 championship team. After his retirement from football, Sisk returned to Milwaukee where he had a successful career in life insurance.
| Sixty, William A. "Billy":
Billy Sixty, actually William Soechting, had a big impact on Wisconsin sports as a champion golfer and bowler, and a sportswriter for the Milwaukee Journal.
Soechting means "60" in |
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