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UserFlyboyjvc <reference> 1. "http://www.ex[http://www.expressnews.com/sports/columnists/roy-bragg/article/SA-man-had-incredible-athletic-career-at-every-6389385.php?t=9f9681672f39a20598&cmpid=email-premium /ref>essnews.com/sports/columnists/roy-bragg/article/SA-man-had-incredible-athletic-career-at-every-6389385.php?t=9f9681672f39a20598&cmpid=email-premium" 2. www.patriotledger.com/article/20150724/SPORTS/150727856 3. athletics.middlebury.edu/traditions/deptawardpages/hazeltine_klevenow </ref></ref></ref></ref></ref></ref></ref> Col. John V. Corbisiero, USAF (ret)

Ref: Nomination to Middlebury College and State of Vermont Hall of Fame

It has been 67 years since he played his last collegiate football game. There were no division level athletic teams in those days. The only division existing at all was either large institutions or small colleges. This division was not very meaningful because some small colleges played against large institutions, depending upon the varsity sport and ability of the athletes. Many of the records of his college varsity football playing days do not exist except in the clippings, letters, books and photographs he kept over the years.

UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME

After graduation from Medford High School in 1944, U.S. Senator Leveret Saltonstall, MA, recommended him for appointment to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, L.I. Because of the small number of slots available for the large number of highly qualified students being recommended to military academies during WWII, he was unsure that he would be accepted. About the same time he was offered a full scholarship for football and baseball to the University of Notre Dame on the recommendation of Mr. Ralph Wheeler, Chief New England Scout for the Chicago Cubs and schoolboy sports writer for the Boston Herald Traveler. Ed McKeever, head football coach at ND, requested he report as soon as possible. McKeever suggested that it was possible for him to be entered in one if the V-5/V-12 military programs at ND instead of attending the Merchant Marine Academy. He accepted the ND scholarship and arrived at ND only two weeks before the first game. The coaching staff included Ed McKeever (Head Coach), Adam Walsh, Hugh Devore, Jake Kline, Clem Crowe and Walter Ziemba. He was too late for the team picture. Within that two weeks time, however, he made the travel team as a freshman and was named the #2 fullback behind Elmer Angsman (future All-Pro with the Chicago Cardinals). He was thankful to be in that position,

considering the fact that ND had about 10 All-State high school fullbacks on scholarship. He played in the first game against Pittsburgh averaging 10 yards /carry ND won (58-0). During practice the following week in preparation for the Tulane game he was promoted to first team. ND won (26-0). The next week he had a good day against Dartmouth and scored his first ND touchdown. ND won again (64-0). He was playing both ways, fullback on offense and left outside linebacker or cornerback on defense coordinating with the great tackle, George Sullivan (Also future pro football player). After the Dartmouth game ND was undefeated, untied, un scored upon and ranked #1 in the nation by the AP. The fourth game was against Wisconsin and their star running back, Jug Girard. ND won again (28-13). Wisconsin was the first to score against ND. In the 5th game against Illinois, Coach McKeever decided to have a two-platoon system against the great Buddy Young, fastest human in the 100 meter dash at that time, and another halfback speedster, Paul Patterson. McKeever teamed him with Marty Wendell (future ND All-American) as linebackers on defense specifically to stop Young and Patterson. Young scored one time against our defense, but he was put out of service for the second half by the pounding he took. ND won the game (13-7). The following week we were ranked #2 in the nation faced with stopping Navy (#6).. Navy gave ND their first loss of the season (13-32). Their older, bigger, more experienced team, loaded with All-American talent, was too much for the relatively young and inexperienced ND squad. The seventh game was against Army (with Blanchard and Davis, both future Heisman trophy winners) in a sold-out Yankee stadium. Not only was ND battered from the Navy game it had lost two of its best backs to active duty. In addition both Elmer Angsman and All-American running back Bob Kelly were injured during the game. ND’s rushing offense just could not get going and therefore were forced to pass. The tough Army defense generated several interceptions. ND suffered a (0-59) defeat. The consensus of opinion was that Army's coach Red Blaik kept his first team in most of the game in order to run up the score. Following the Army game he received orders to report to the Merchant Marine Academy immediately.

In summary, while at ND he averaged 5.3 yards /carry on offense but played mostly on defense after the 4th game because that was where he was needed the most. There is no record of how many tackles he made on defense because those records are not available. He remembers making a large number of tackles and according to the press was doing extremely well playing as a freshman (with and against All-Americans) at the toughest level of competition in all of college football. ND ended the 1944 season with an 8-2 record and ranked 9th in the nation. ND had at least four members of that team make first team All-American during their playing days at ND. Eventually, professional football teams drafted over a dozen members of the 1944 team. Many (like he did) went on to become stars at other colleges and universities. Most all of what has been written is verified in the book, "Leahy’s Lads", written by Jack O'Connor, former ND player. This book is a detailed story about the great ND teams that dominated college football in the 1940s.

UNITED STATES MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY

He entered the Merchant Marine Academy in December 1944. Six Months later he was promoted to 3rd Class Midshipman and shipped out to the Pacific Ocean on the SS Clovis Victory. Eighteen days later he was involved in the invasion of Okinawa, the bloodiest battle of WWII. His ship was directly involved in day-to-day combat with the Japanese Kamikaze aircraft, shooting down two and assisting in another during these engagements. In August 1945 he returned to the mainland where the USMMA San Francisco commander directed him to report immediately to the academy at Kings Point, LI to play football for the first academy football team. When he arrived he was in poor physical condition due to the long tour of sea duty and combat. The team had already been practicing for a few months. The academy had a terrific coaching staff in Earl Brown (Head Coach, formerly Dartmouth coach)), "Chet” Gladchuck (Line Coach, formerly with the New York Giants), Ken Strong (Kicking and Backfield Coach, formerly with the New York Giants), and Bob Masters (Backfield Coach, formerly with the Chicago Bears). It took him at least two games to get in reasonable playing condition. The third game was against Maryland when he played mostly defense. In getting ready for the fourth game against Lafayette he replaced Bill Stein (former Georgia fullback and USMMA team captain) at starting fullback. During practice that week he injured his left foot. That injury kept him from playing against Lafayette and Boston College. He was scheduled to be starting fullback for both games. Following the Boston College game was Harvard. He was chosen as captain and starting fullback. On the kickoff Harvard fumbled and he recovered. The first time he carried the ball he reinjured his left foot and was out the remainder of the game. The following week the academy played William and Mary. He played defensive line backer in that game, suffered a mild concussion and was out for the last game against Brooklyn College. WWII ended and shortly thereafter cadets were resigning in droves to get home and start a new life. He chose to do so also and resigned from the USMMA in January 1946.

In summary, his football experience at the USMMA was quite disappointing in the fact that he developed injuries of which he never fully recovered. However, if he had arrived early enough in the season to get in shape for the level of competition prevalent at the USMMA, things could have been much different. Even at that, the coaching staff thought enough of his ability to name him as starting fullback against Lafayette, Boston College and Harvard (Game team captain also).The official game programs are sufficient evidence. Like ND, individual and team records do not exist. The most positive outcome of his football care.er at the USMMA is that for one game he captained the first USMMA varsity football team.

AFTER WWII

During the summer of 1946 he received several athletic scholarship offers. Notable among them was Notre Dame, Boston College, Northeastern, Cornell, Harvard, Dartmouth, Georgetown and Middlebury. Frank Leahy's ND Staff notified him that he

Would have to wait a year because of the large number of returning veterans with football scholarships before WWII. He wanted to get started in a new career as soon as possible and would not wait one year. Out of many offers received he chose Dartmouth. His closest boyhood friend was Dick Desmond, Dartmouth All-American varsity hockey goalie (future Olympic Silver Medalist and US Hockey Hall of Fame member).With Dick’s recommendation, combined with recommendations from Milt Piepul, Dartmouth football backfield coach and Jeff Tesereau; Dartmouth baseball coach, he was accepted at Dartmouth for football, baseball and hockey scholarships. When the news of his acceptance at Dartmouth was disclosed in the Boston newspapers, a swarm of letters appeared from parents of students who had already entered Dartmouth before WWII. Like ND their sons could not attend Dartmouth then because of the overload of returning pre-WWII students. These parents were irate that Dartmouth was accepting a transfer from the University of Notre Dame in lieu of using that slot for their son. Theoretically he was not a transfer since he did not complete a semester at ND. But the pressure was too great for Dartmouth's administration and his acceptance at Dartmouth was revoked.

MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE

     The Dartmouth College episode turned out to be a blessing in disguise.  After careful consideration of all the offers he finally chose Middlebury College.  Middlebury consistently ranked within the top 10 in the nation, academically and also had a history of very strong athletic teams for a small college, especially football, skiing and hockey. Middlebury did not field athletic teams during WWII so they had to recruit from scratch. Duke Nelson (Asst Athletic Director and head football coach, hockey and golf coach) had returned to his alma mater after a WWII tour with the U.S. Navy.  He was bound to make Middlebury a small college powerhouse and began intense recruiting around the northeast area.  Many of the recruits were top athletes from New England and New York State. A few even came with first team high school All-American honors in their sport. The quality of recruits increased his enthusiasm about his decision to attend Middlebury. He had only three more years of varsity competition remaining (his year at the USMMA did not count because it was a military institution). Therefore, he planned to leave Middlebury after his junior year to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was enrolled in the Middlebury MIT Plan under which he would receive a BS in Engineering from MIT and an AB degree in Mathematics from Middlebury.

FRESHMAN YEAR

The 1946 Midd football team was not successful until the last three games. They lost the first four games against Williams (12-6), Trinity (28-7), Wesleyan (26-0) and St. Lawrence (20-13). Duke Nelson was experimenting with various offensive and defensive formations trying to find the right combinations for his talent. He finally settled on the single wing after the first game. The single wing formation appeared to be best; however it took four games to smooth out the rough areas. During the first game he

Played halfback and fullback in the “T" formation, linebacker and cornerback on defense, kicked-off and punted. On the switch to the Single Wing formation he played fullback (spinning back) and tailback on offense (called all the plays), linebacker, and cornerback and safety on defense, kicked-off and kick-off returns, passed and punted. Midd improved with each game. We beat Norwich (12-0), Union (18-13) and tied Vermont (12-12). We won the Vermont conference that year. There are not many records available for the1946 football team, but he has records of the fact that he scored all 4 touchdowns in the last two games and threw two passes for touchdowns in the previous games with no interceptions. So he accounted for 6 of 8 touchdowns that year. He has no idea what his punting average was or what his individual ground gain statistics were in 1946. He was selected first team, All-Vermont that year. He also competed in varsity hockey and baseball. At the end of the ye.ar he was honored by the college by receiving the Hazeltine-Klevenow Cup for having the best combined ability in athletics and excellence in scholarship in any of the four classes. It was the first time in the history of Middlebury College that this coveted award was won by a freshman student.

SOPHMORE YEAR

1947 was a much better year for Middlebury football. Midd started the season with a (13-6) win over Hobart The winning touchdown was made on his 85 yard pass completion to end, Irv Meeker, one of the five longest pass completions in the nation that year. Midd beat Williams next(19-7), lost to Trinity (7-31),he did not play because of sickness, tied Coast Guard in a close game (7-7) and won the next three games against St. Lawrence (13-7), Union (26-12) and Vermont (19-0). Once again the statistics for this year are cloudy. He recalls scoring 6 touchdowns. Duke cut back his participation to fullback and tailback on offense (he called all the plays and passed) kick-off returns and safety (punt returns) on defense. Duke had recruited other players who could perform kick­ offs and punting duty. At the end of the year he was named first team, All-Vermont, and honored by the Boston Post for selection on the offensive second team, All-New England (included all colleges and universities in New England).The Boston Post All-New England team was selected by balloting of all coaches, officials and sports writers throughout New England. Middlebury students honored him by selecting him to the Blue Key National Honor Society. The Middlebury football team honored him by naming me as co-captain the following 1948 season. He also participated in varsity hockey and baseball that year.

JUNIOR YEAR

1948 was a banner season. He played the same positions as the year before. Midd started the season by beating Hobart (31-13), Bates (20-7), Hamilton (13-0) and Coast Guard (32-0). The real test was against Trinity College, at that time rated the best small college team in the nation. They had not lost a game in over three years. Midd beat them (24-13). He scored three touchdowns that day, intercepted a pass and had no pass interceptions. Midd was being touted as the top small college team in the nation and were in the running for the Glass Bowl. They faced Union the next game. Union

Was also undefeated. Midd had some key injuries and maybe a little overconfidence because they had beaten them the year before. Midd lost to Union (7-14). The final game was against Vermont. It was a tough game played in the mud. Midd won (13-12). He scored the winning touchdown and the extra point. He scored a total of 9 touchdowns during the season and gained a total of 857 yards rushing in 8 games. No other records are available. Many honors were bestowed upon him after the season. Duke Nelson informed him that he made Tom Harmon's first team, Little All-America. Duke never gave him any written indication of his selection. However, he has a copy of a newspaper article that Howell Stevens, Boston Post sports writer wrote which mentioned that he had been selected to the Mythical Little All-American Football eleven. The Los Angeles Rams and the New York giants of the NFL and New York Yankees of the newly organized AFL contacted him regarding his intere.st in playing professional football. However, he was pleasantly surprised when he received a call from George Halas, owner and coach of the Chicago Bears, stating that he had drafted him before the other teams, Mr. Halas also stated that he would be the Bears starting fullback in the 1949 season. He was grateful for his call because the Bears had always been his favorite NFL team. There were several honors bestowed on him in 1948. They are as follows:

1. Boston Post All-New England, first team offense (includes all colleges and universities). 2. INS All-New England, Small College, first team offense. 3. UP All-New England, second team offense (includes all colleges and Universities). 4. All Vermont, first team offense. 5. Drafted by the Chicago Bears. 6. Elected to Middlebury College Waubanakee Honor Society. Election is the highest honor that may be received by a Middlebury undergraduate from the Men's College for character, scholarship, personality leadership, and extra-curricular activities. 7. Elected to Middlebury College Men's Athletic Council.

To summarize his three years of playing football at Middlebury College he has been able to extract the following records that he held for 24 years after he graduated. These records were made playing mainly the fullback position under a single wing offense, not noted for providing the best opportunity for obtaining long ground gains. He also played both ways in every game, including passing from the tailback and fullback positions. He also believes he averaged over 100 yards per game and gained well over 2000 yards total over the three years, but he has no such proof.

1. Highest average yards per carry over 3 seasons (23 games) - 6.1

2. Most yards per season (8 games) - 857 3. Most touchdowns per season (8 games) -9 4. Most touchdowns over 3 seasons (23 games) - 19 PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL The following year (1949) he signed a $5000 contract with the Chicago Bears (George Halas) and left Middlebury College after completing his junior year. During that summer he attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) summer school and prepared himself for his rookie season workouts with the Chicago Bears at St. Joseph's College, IL starting in July '49. In the meantime he was named to the Eastern College All-Stars squad slated to play the New York Giants at the Polo Grounds in September ‘49. This was the highest honor he had been given to date. Many of the players chosen for this team were All-Americans from colleges and universities throughout the east. This selection turned out to be a nemesis to him when it came to the attention of George Halas and the Chicago Bears. In late August at the Bears training camp, he mentioned to Mr. Halas that he had to leave the Bears camp for the All-Star training camp. Mr. Halas was not aware that he had been selected to the All-Star team. He was the only Bears' rookie that had been selected. Halas had planned for him to play in an intra-squad exhibition game to be held in the Coliseum that weekend. Later that same day Halas asked him to report to his office where he informed him that he and Commissioner, Bert Bell, had decided that his contract would be sent to the Pittsburg Steelers(Bert was part owner of Steelers). His experience in the single wing offense would helpful to the Steelers and he was to report to the Steelers immediately. He was not very happy with this arrangement so instead he reported to the All-Star camp.

EASTERN COLLEGE ALL-STARS

He performed well in the All-Star camp and was led to believe that he would start at left corner back on defense. Newspaper articles touted his ability on defense to knockdown and intercept passes and on offense to block “fiercely”. He did not start because arrangements were made between both opposing coaches to start another player in order for the Giants coaches to observe this player’s future contribution to the Giants team. However, when he was substituted for this player at left cornerback the Giants were not able to gain yardage or score. He was thrilled to be a member of the College All-Star team that beat the Giants (28-13). The last time a professional team had been beaten by a College All-Star team was ten years earlier in 1939. This All-Star game was never held again because of the conflict it caused with NFL and AFL teams and their rookies. Following the game, Lou Kusserow (Columbia U. star fullback and his All-Star camp roommate) suggested that he join him with the New York Yankees of the new American Football League. The Yankees would pay him $1000 (a lot of money then) more per year than the Bears contract, however he would have to get his release from the National Football League contract. He was unable to join Lou and the Yankees-neither the Bears nor Steelers were willing to release him.

SENIOR YEAR AT .MIDDLEBURY

He was disappointed with the politics of professional football at that time. He returned to Middlebury to complete his senior year. Duke Nelson hired him on his staff to assist Sam Guarnaccia, head junior varsity football coach. In December 1949, Jeff Jones, he.ad New England scout for the Boston Braves Professional baseball team contacted him about signing a professional baseball contract. In early 1950 he signed a bonus contract with the Boston Braves and joined their organization after graduation from Middlebury. 1950 was the Middlebury College 150th Anniversary and during the year I received the following honors:

1. First team Middlebury College All Time All-Stars football team. 2. First team Middlebury College All Time All-Stars baseball team. 3. Honorable mention Middlebury College All Time All-Stars hockey team. 4. He earned 9 Varsity letters.

In summary, Middlebury College turned out to be the right choice for him, both athletically and academically. He proved to himself, and others, that it does not make any difference whether or not an athlete goes to a large college program or small college program. Good athletic programs will allow the outstanding athlete to be noticed for his/her ability to compete at any level. It is possible to make it to the professional level no matter which program one chooses. In gathering these data he calculated that he competed with (or against) 25 first team All-Americans during his entire football career.

PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL AND MILITARY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

His first season with the Boston Braves organization was cut short in August '50 because of the Korean War. Although his contract with the Braves included Denver as his assigned team there was no room for him at that time. He was sent to Jackson ,Ms for three months and then to Wellsville, NY. He played in only 20 games before injuring his right shoulder. Then he received notice to report to his Draft Board for enlistment in the Army. Before his draft date he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in January, 1951reporting to Lockland AFB, TX. During his first year of enlistment he played on the Lockland AFB baseball team with and against college and proof sectional baseball players in all the services. Late in the season his commanding officer received a letter from Mr. Walter Brown, USA Hockey Committee Chairman requesting that he be made available for the 1952 USA Olympic team tryouts to be held at the Boston Garden. He entered the tryouts and was chosen to be a member of the 1952 Olympic team along with my good friend from Dartmouth College, Dick Desmond, who joined the USAF with me. Just before leaving for overseas Mr. Brow informed him that the U. S. Olympic committee decided he was ineligible to be an Olympian because of his professional football and baseball status. He had to be removed from the team roster. The 1952 U.S. Olympic hockey team won the Silver Medal that year.

He played baseball for various military base teams during the first 6 years in the USAF, starting at Lockland AFB. The military athletic competition during this time was very strong because professional athletes were involved in all services. In 1954 He was player/manager of the Laughlin AFB, TX baseball team that won the Southeastern League USAF Championship. In 1957 he was player/manager of the Wiesbaden AFB, Germany baseball team that won the USAF in Europe Championship.  This was the last year of his baseball career. He was still property of the Boston Braves while in the Air Force.  Each year he would receive a contract from the Braves front office, in case he was to separate from the military. He then notified the Braves that he chose to remain in the Air Force.  

A list of civilian and military honors received while in the military follow:

Civilian Honors: 1. Commissioner, George AFB Babe Ruth Little League Baseball, 1966. 2. President, Wright-Patterson AFB Flying Fish AAU swims team, 1972. 3. President, Dayton Ohio AAU swimming organization, 1973. 4. AAU Swimming Official, 1970-1977. 5. USA National Swimming Official, 1974-1977. 6. Recognized by the Ohio House of Representatives for his Air Force career, 1980. 7. Inducted to the Medford Mustang Hall of Fame, Medford High School, Medford, MA (1989).

Military Honors:

1. 10 Air Medals and Distinguish Flying Cross for 106 Combat missions during the Vietnam War. 2. Received the Legion of Merit 3 times and Meritorious Service Medal. 3. Decorated a total of 47 times. 4. Received a MS in Systems Analysis from the USAF Institute of Technology. 5. Retired as aFullColonel.

CIVILIAN LIFE After his retirement from the Air Force, he worked in private industry for 10 years, then became a real estate broker and Certified Commercial Investment Member

     (CCIM). He is now fully retired. His honors in civilian life follow:

1. President, San Antonio Leon valley Rotary Club, 1997. 2. President, Elm Creek Homeowners Association, 1995- 2000. 3. Knights of Columbus, 4th degree. 4. Life Member, Order of Daedalians. 5. Life Member, Air Force Association.

        6.  University of Notre Dame, Monogram Club member since 1944.

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