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Elroy Hirsch - University of Wisconsin / Wausau East

03/01/1994, 12:00am CST
By Wisconsin Sports Network

Born June 17. 1923

Graduate of Wausau East High School, General Manager of the Los Angeles Rams, Assistant to the President. Los Angeles Rams, Athletic Director UW -Madison, 1969-1987

Elroy played at Wausau East High School for legendary coach Win Brockmeyer, earning all state honors in football and basketball. He entered University of Wisconsin in 1942. In 1942 this triple threat halfback helped the Badgers to a 8-1-1 record, 2nd in the Big 10 and 3rd nationally.

In 1943 he went to Michigan with the Marine Corps V-12 unit. He played on Michigan's championship team and earned letters in football, basketball, baseball, and track.

Elroy became a professional in 1945 with the Chicago Rockets and later with the Los Angeles Rams. In 1951 he gained 1,495 yards in receptions, an all time record. The same season he caught 17 TD passes to tie Don Hutson's league record. He caught TD passes in 11 consecutive games. He caught 343 passes for 6.299 yards and 53 TD's over nine seasons with the Rams. He retired from playing in 1957.

He was General Manager and Assistant to the President of the Rams until corning home to Wisconsin as Athletic Director in 1969. He also enjoyed a career as a movie and TV star in the 1950's. The story of his life "Crazylegs" was filmed in 1953 and "Unchained" was filmed in 1955. When he returned to Wisconsin in 1969 they were averaging 43,559 per game in attendance; by 1971 they were averaging 68.131 in attendance and rose to 13th nationally in 1984 averaging 74,794 per game. Wisconsin hockey teams have led the nation in attendance for 17 consecutive years. Elroy is one of the most recognized and respected members of the American athletic community.

"Crazyleg's" Career Highlights:

1939-Member of the All-State Basketball Team in the 1939 Wisconsin Tournament

1939-40-All Conference Football. Wisconsin Valley Conference, Wausau All-American Football Player at UW-Madison as a sophomore 1942 All-American Football Player. University of Michigan

1943-44-The only athlete in University of Michigan's history to win four letters in four sports (football. basketball. track. baseball) in a single year

1946-Most Valuable Player in the College All-Star Game against the Los Angeles Rams

1950-54-All-Star with the Los Angeles Rams

1958-69-General Manager of the Los Angeles Rams

1965-Inducted into the Wisconsin Athletes' Hall of Fame

1968-Inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame

1969-Selected as the flanker on the All-Pro Team for the first fifty years of professional football

1969-87-Athletic Director. UW-Madison

1984-Inducted into the Michigan Athletes' Hall of Honor

Inducted into the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame

UW-Madison. National "W' Club Hall of Fame

Madison Pen & Mike Club Hall of Fame

Bowman Sports Foundation Hall of Fame

Upon Elroy's retirement, a street in front of the field house and Camp Randall was renamed "Crazylegs" Lane.

Tag(s): Hall of Fame