Leo Koceski
Encyclopedia
Leo Robert "Bugsy" Koceski, Jr. (born January 28, 1927), also known as the "Canonsburg Comet," is a former American football
halfback
. He played for Michigan
's undefeated national championship team in 1948 and the 1950 Big Ten championship team that defeated the California
in the 1951 Rose Bowl
.
. He played football at Canonsburg from 1943 to 1946, was selected as an All-WPIAL player in both 1945 and 1946, and led the WPIAL in scoring as a senior in 1946. Koceski scored 19 touchdowns in 1946 and was also a sprinter and long jumper for Canonsburg's track team.
, Penn State
, Army
, Navy
, Notre Dame
, Alabama
, Tennessee
, and Columbia, but he chose the University of Michigan
. In a 1948 interview, Koceski explained his selection of Michigan
, "Ever since I was in the sixth grade at First Ward public school, I had wanted to go to Michigan. It seemed too good to be true when they accepted me." In 1947, he played on the freshman team coached by Wally Weber
. Koceski joined the varsity team in 1948 and helped the Wolverines to an undefeated season and national championship. In Michigan's 28–0 victory over Northwestern
in 1948, Koceski scored three touchdowns. Michigan's fourth touchdown in the Northwestern game resulted from a Koceski fumble as he crossed the goal line, with the ball being recovered in the end zone by teammate Bob Erben. Following the Northwestern game, the Associated Press
wrote:
After his performance against Northwestern, the Los Angeles Times called Koceski "a sawed-off 163 pound squirt from Canonsburg, Pa." Koceski also helped the 1948 Wolverines maintain their undefeated record by catching a pass at midfield against Minnesota
and running for a touchdown on a play that covered 64 yards.
In 1949, Koceski scored two touchdowns in an early game against Stanford
, as the Wolverines extended their winning streak to 25 games. He was the Wolverines' leading ground gainer until he suffered a cracked rib in a practice scrimmage in mid-October. In 1949, a Detroit newspaper reported that Koceski and Chuck Ortmann
were being investigated by former FBI agents hired by the Big Ten Conference to determine whether the two were actually performing services for a company that employed them. A report by the investigators concluded that Ortmann and Koceski were actually performing work, "not just punching a time clock." In early December 1949, athletic director Fritz Crisler
announced that the two players had been given a clean slate: "There was no question of reinstatement of the players. They were never in a position for such a thing as reinstatement to arise."
Koceski continued to suffer from injuries during the 1950 football season and was able to start only four games. In the third game of the season against Army, Koceski suffered pulled knee ligaments and was out of action for several games. Koceski returned to the lineup in time for the Ohio State
game—the infamous Snow Bowl game of 1950. Late in the game, Koceski entered the game from the sidelines with the news that Northwestern had upset Illinois
, which meant that Michigan would be the Big Ten champion and advance to the Rose Bowl with a victory over Ohio State. With the wind blowing at 28 miles per hour in a blizzard, Koceski recalled the conditions at the Snow Bowl as follows: "It was cold, it was nasty, and it wasn't any fun." The Wolverines won the Snow Bowl by a score of 9 to 3 and advanced to the 1951 Rose Bowl
.
In the weeks leading up to the Rose Bowl, Koceski's knee became the subject of extensive coverage in the press. On Christmas Eve, the Los Angeles Times reported that Coach Bennie Oosterbaan
's hopes for Koceski faded when Koceski complained of a "'very tired' feeling in his gimpy right knee and was excused early in the forenoon workout." Two days, later the Times reported that "Michigan Hopes Soar" on news that Koceski was "looking better." Two days before the Rose Bowl game, Oosterbaan told the press that Koceski was in his best shape since the Army game. Oosterbaan said, "Leo will play both on offense and defense. How effectively I cannot say, but he will play." Koceski's final game for the Michigan team was the 1951 Rose Bowl victory over California
. After the game, Coach Oosterbaan cited Koceski as one of the standouts of the game for Michigan along with Don Dufek
, Al "Brick" Wahl
, and Chuck Ortmann
.
Koceski also played baseball for the Michigan Wolverines baseball
teams that won two Big 10 championships. He was an outfielder who was elected team captain in 1951.
. He was married and had three sons. In 1989, he was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
halfback
Halfback (American football)
A halfback, sometimes referred to as a tailback, is an offensive position in American football, which lines up in the backfield and generally is responsible for carrying the ball on run plays. Historically, from the 1870s through the 1950s, the halfback position was both an offensive and defensive...
. He played for Michigan
Michigan Wolverines football
The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
's undefeated national championship team in 1948 and the 1950 Big Ten championship team that defeated the California
California Golden Bears football
The California Golden Bears football team is the college football team of the University of California. The team plays its home games at California Memorial Stadium, however the team played at San Francisco's AT&T Park in 2011 while Memorial Stadium was being renovated, the team will return to...
in the 1951 Rose Bowl
1951 Rose Bowl
The 1951 Rose Bowl was a college football bowl game played on January 1, 1951. It was the 37th Rose Bowl Game. The Michigan Wolverines, champions of the Big Ten Conference, defeated the California Golden Bears, champions of the Pacific Coast Conference, 14–6. Michigan fullback Don Dufek was...
.
Early years
Koceski was born in 1927, the youngest of nine children. His father, Leo Robert Koceski, Sr., died in 1938 when Koceski was 11 years old. Koceski began his football career at Canonsburg High School in Canonsburg, PennsylvaniaCanonsburg, Pennsylvania
Canonsburg is a borough in Washington County, Pennsylvania, southwest of Pittsburgh. Canonsburg was laid out by Colonel John Canon in 1789 and incorporated in 1802....
. He played football at Canonsburg from 1943 to 1946, was selected as an All-WPIAL player in both 1945 and 1946, and led the WPIAL in scoring as a senior in 1946. Koceski scored 19 touchdowns in 1946 and was also a sprinter and long jumper for Canonsburg's track team.
University of Michigan
Koceski was recruited as a football player by PittPittsburgh Panthers football
Pittsburgh Panthers football is the intercollegiate football team of the University of Pittsburgh, often referred to as "Pitt", located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Traditionally the most popular sport at the university, Pitt football has played at the highest level of American college football...
, Penn State
Penn State Nittany Lions football
The Penn State Nittany Lions football team represents the Pennsylvania State University in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big Ten Conference. It is one of the most tradition-rich and storied college football programs in the...
, Army
Army Black Knights football
The Army Black Knights football program represents the United States Military Academy. Army was recognized as the national champions in 1944, 1945 and 1946....
, Navy
Navy Midshipmen football
The Navy Midshipmen football team represents the United States Naval Academy in NCAA Division I-A college football. They are a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision independent school and coached by Ken Niumatalolo since December 2007...
, Notre Dame
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
, Alabama
Alabama Crimson Tide football
|TeamName = Alabama football |Image = Alabama Crimson Tide Logo.svg |ImageSize = 110 |Helmet = Alabama Football.png |ImageSize2 = 150 |CurrentSeason = 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team...
, Tennessee
Tennessee Volunteers football
The Tennessee Volunteers football team are an American college football team at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville . The NCAA Division I team is also a member of the Southeastern Conference ....
, and Columbia, but he chose the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
. In a 1948 interview, Koceski explained his selection of Michigan
Michigan Wolverines football
The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
, "Ever since I was in the sixth grade at First Ward public school, I had wanted to go to Michigan. It seemed too good to be true when they accepted me." In 1947, he played on the freshman team coached by Wally Weber
Wally Weber
Walter J. Weber was an American football player and coach at the University of Michigan. He played halfback and fullback for the Wolverines in 1925 and 1926 on the same teams as Benny Friedman and Bennie Oosterbaan. He later became an assistant football coach at Michigan for 28 years from 1931 to...
. Koceski joined the varsity team in 1948 and helped the Wolverines to an undefeated season and national championship. In Michigan's 28–0 victory over Northwestern
Northwestern Wildcats football
The Northwestern Wildcats football team, representing Northwestern University, is a NCAA Division I team and member of the Big Ten Conference, with evidence of organization in 1876...
in 1948, Koceski scored three touchdowns. Michigan's fourth touchdown in the Northwestern game resulted from a Koceski fumble as he crossed the goal line, with the ball being recovered in the end zone by teammate Bob Erben. Following the Northwestern game, the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
wrote:
"Koceski carried the ball only six times for 20 yards, a running figure exceeded by both OrtmannChuck OrtmannCharles H. Ortmann is a former American football player who played for the University of Michigan Wolverines from 1948 to 1950 and in the National Football League for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1951 and the Dallas Texans in 1952....
and End Dick RifenburgDick RifenburgRichard Gale "Dick" Rifenburg was a pioneering television broadcaster for the forerunner to WIVB-TV in Buffalo. He was also a professional American football wide receiver who played in the NFL for the Detroit Lions in 1950 and had been an All-American end for the University of Michigan Wolverines...
, but the little right halfback who stepped into the man-sized shoes of the departed Bump ElliottBump ElliottChalmers W. "Bump" Elliott is a former American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator. He played halfback at Purdue University and the University of Michigan...
and fills 'em like they were made for him caught three passes for 40 yards more."
After his performance against Northwestern, the Los Angeles Times called Koceski "a sawed-off 163 pound squirt from Canonsburg, Pa." Koceski also helped the 1948 Wolverines maintain their undefeated record by catching a pass at midfield against Minnesota
Minnesota Golden Gophers football
The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the oldest programs in college football history. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. The Golden Gophers have claimed six national championships and have an all time record of 646–481–44 as...
and running for a touchdown on a play that covered 64 yards.
In 1949, Koceski scored two touchdowns in an early game against Stanford
Stanford Cardinal football
The Stanford Cardinal football program represents Stanford University in college football at the NCAA Division I FBS level and is a member of the Pac-12 Conference's North Division. Stanford, the top-ranked academic institution with an FBS program, has a highly successful football tradition. The...
, as the Wolverines extended their winning streak to 25 games. He was the Wolverines' leading ground gainer until he suffered a cracked rib in a practice scrimmage in mid-October. In 1949, a Detroit newspaper reported that Koceski and Chuck Ortmann
Chuck Ortmann
Charles H. Ortmann is a former American football player who played for the University of Michigan Wolverines from 1948 to 1950 and in the National Football League for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1951 and the Dallas Texans in 1952....
were being investigated by former FBI agents hired by the Big Ten Conference to determine whether the two were actually performing services for a company that employed them. A report by the investigators concluded that Ortmann and Koceski were actually performing work, "not just punching a time clock." In early December 1949, athletic director Fritz Crisler
Fritz Crisler
Herbert Orin "Fritz" Crisler was an American football coach who is best known as "the father of two-platoon football," an innovation in which separate units of players were used for offense and defense. Crisler developed two-platoon football while serving as head coach at the University of...
announced that the two players had been given a clean slate: "There was no question of reinstatement of the players. They were never in a position for such a thing as reinstatement to arise."
Koceski continued to suffer from injuries during the 1950 football season and was able to start only four games. In the third game of the season against Army, Koceski suffered pulled knee ligaments and was out of action for several games. Koceski returned to the lineup in time for the Ohio State
Ohio State Buckeyes football
The Ohio State Buckeyes football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports team of The Ohio State University. The team is a member of the Big Ten Conference of the NCAA, playing at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly Division I-A, level. The team nickname is derived from the state...
game—the infamous Snow Bowl game of 1950. Late in the game, Koceski entered the game from the sidelines with the news that Northwestern had upset Illinois
Illinois Fighting Illini football
The Illinois Fighting Illini are a major college football program, representing the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. They compete in NCAA Division I-A and the Big Ten Conference.-Current staff:-All-time win/loss/tie record:*563-513-51...
, which meant that Michigan would be the Big Ten champion and advance to the Rose Bowl with a victory over Ohio State. With the wind blowing at 28 miles per hour in a blizzard, Koceski recalled the conditions at the Snow Bowl as follows: "It was cold, it was nasty, and it wasn't any fun." The Wolverines won the Snow Bowl by a score of 9 to 3 and advanced to the 1951 Rose Bowl
1951 Rose Bowl
The 1951 Rose Bowl was a college football bowl game played on January 1, 1951. It was the 37th Rose Bowl Game. The Michigan Wolverines, champions of the Big Ten Conference, defeated the California Golden Bears, champions of the Pacific Coast Conference, 14–6. Michigan fullback Don Dufek was...
.
In the weeks leading up to the Rose Bowl, Koceski's knee became the subject of extensive coverage in the press. On Christmas Eve, the Los Angeles Times reported that Coach Bennie Oosterbaan
Bennie Oosterbaan
Benjamin Gaylord "Bennie" Oosterbaan was a three-time first team All-American football end for the Michigan Wolverines football team, two-time All-American basketball player for the basketball team and an All-Big Ten Conference baseball player for the baseball team...
's hopes for Koceski faded when Koceski complained of a "'very tired' feeling in his gimpy right knee and was excused early in the forenoon workout." Two days, later the Times reported that "Michigan Hopes Soar" on news that Koceski was "looking better." Two days before the Rose Bowl game, Oosterbaan told the press that Koceski was in his best shape since the Army game. Oosterbaan said, "Leo will play both on offense and defense. How effectively I cannot say, but he will play." Koceski's final game for the Michigan team was the 1951 Rose Bowl victory over California
California Golden Bears football
The California Golden Bears football team is the college football team of the University of California. The team plays its home games at California Memorial Stadium, however the team played at San Francisco's AT&T Park in 2011 while Memorial Stadium was being renovated, the team will return to...
. After the game, Coach Oosterbaan cited Koceski as one of the standouts of the game for Michigan along with Don Dufek
Don Dufek
Donald Patrick "Don" Dufek, Jr. is a former American football player who played safety and special teams for eight seasons with the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League . He had previously played for the Michigan Wolverines football team in Ann Arbor from 1973–1975...
, Al "Brick" Wahl
Robert Wahl
Robert Allen "Al" Wahl , nicknamed "Brick" Wahl, is a former football player who was a two-time All-American for the University of Michigan Wolverines in 1949 and 1950. Wahl is also a former U.S...
, and Chuck Ortmann
Chuck Ortmann
Charles H. Ortmann is a former American football player who played for the University of Michigan Wolverines from 1948 to 1950 and in the National Football League for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1951 and the Dallas Texans in 1952....
.
Koceski also played baseball for the Michigan Wolverines baseball
Michigan Wolverines baseball
The Michigan Wolverines baseball team represents the University of Michigan in NCAA Division I college baseball. Along with most other Michigan athletic teams, the baseball team participates in the Big Ten Conference...
teams that won two Big 10 championships. He was an outfielder who was elected team captain in 1951.
Later years
Koceski worked as a sales representative for Wilsonart Co. in Michigan. He lived in Dearborn Heights, MichiganDearborn Heights, Michigan
Dearborn Heights is a city in Wayne County, in the Detroit metropolitan area, in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 57,774 at the 2010 census.-History:...
. He was married and had three sons. In 1989, he was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.