Football

Football

1980
Aug 31

Sam Baker – Football

Sam Baker

(Nov. 12, 1930 – Jun 5, 2007) Sam Baker played his way into the state’s memory as a halfback at Oregon State and then place-kicker in the National Football League. Born in 1930, Baker grew up in Corvallis and had a standout athletic career at the school, helping the Spartans win the 1948 state championship..Read More

Aug 31

Vic Sears – Football

Vic Sears

(Mar. 14, 1918 – Sep. 21, 2006) Vic Sears played his way from Central Oregon, through Corvallis and into a spot in state sports lore as a durable lineman on Oregon State’s first bowl team. Born in Ashwood in 1918, Sears found his way to Oregon State and played there for three varsity seasons (1938-40)..Read More

Aug 31

Charles “Shy” Huntington – Football

Chas Shy Huntington

(Jul. 7, 1891 – Jan. 21, 1973) Charles “Shy” Huntington left an indelible mark on the University of Oregon football program by leading it to the 1917 Rose Bowl as a player, then guiding the program to the 1920 Rose Bowl as head coach. Born in 1891, Huntington played three seasons for Oregon, beginning at..Read More

Aug 31

Norm Van Brocklin – Football

Norm Van Brocklin2

(Mar. 15, 1926 – May 2, 1983) Norm Van Brocklin established the tradition of quarterback excellence at the University of Oregon, won two championships in the National Football League and coached for 13 seasons in the NFL before the age of 50. Van Brocklin was born in 1926 in South Dakota, but grew up in..Read More

Aug 31

John Kitzmiller – Football

John Kitzmiller

(Nov. 25, 1904 – Apr. 26, 1986) Pennsylvanian, John Kitzmiller had his heart set on a football career at West Point and was particularly impressed with Army coach John McEwan. Just when Kitzmiller was about to enter West Point, McEwan was lured to the head coaching position at Oregon. Without hesitation, Kitzmiller followed him and..Read More

Aug 31

George Christensen – Football

George Christensen

(Dec. 13, 1909 – Jul. 1, 1968) George Christensen carried the University of Oregon’s name into the National Football League during the early years of the league as a lineman before becoming a successful businessman. Born in Pendleton in 1909, Christensen played at Oregon from 1928-30 and was a Pacific Coast Conference all-star as a..Read More

Aug 31

Len Younce – Football

Len Younce

(Jan. 8, 1917 – Mar. 26, 2000) Len Younce earned his spot in the state’s sports memory as a scrappy lineman who helped Oregon State to its first bowl game and then reached the NFL. Born in Dayton in 1917, Younce graduated from Portland’s Roosevelt High and enrolled at Oregon State, where he played three..Read More

Aug 31

John Beckett – Football

John Beckett

John “Jack” Beckett (January 5, 1892 – July 26, 1981) was an American football offensive tackle who played for the University of Oregon and Mare Island. Born in rural northeastern Oregon, Beckett attended Eugene High School in Eugene before enrolling at the University of Oregon. University of Oregon Although primarily used as an offensive tackle,..Read More

Aug 31

Jake Leicht – Football

Jake Leicht

(Aug. 2, 1919 – May 18, 1992) Jake Leicht is one of the football program’s stars of the 1940s, who didn’t start his career in Eugene until age 26. Born in North Dakota in 1919, Leicht reached the Ducks in 1945 as a 60-minute player, starring as a halfback, kick returner and defensive back. In..Read More

Aug 30

Mike Mikulak – Football

Mike Mikulak

(Dec. 2, 1912 – Jun. 4, 1999) “Iron Mike” played only three seasons for the University of Oregon football team, but left a lasting impression enough to warrant Hall of Fame status. Mikulak grew up in Minnesota, and moved to Eugene to play for the Ducks in 1931-33. He started at fullback in ‘32 and..Read More