Walt Kichefski
Encyclopedia
Walter Raymond Kichefski (June 17, 1916January 9, 1992) was a professional football
player in the He played in the league from 1940–1942 and again in 1944. Walt played for the Pittsburgh Steelers
and "Card-Pitt
", a team that was the result of a temporary merger between the Chicago Cardinals and the Steelers. The teams merger was result of the manning shortages experienced league-wide due to World War II
. Walter also served in the military during the war. His name is included on the NFL honor roll, which lists over 1,000 NFL personnel who served in the military during World War II.
He played college football
at the University of Miami
. He served as head coach
there for the last 9 games of the 1970 season, guiding the team to a 2-7 record. He began his Miami coaching career in 1943 as line mentor. After playing the 1944 season with "Card-Pitt", Walt rejoined the Hurricanes and the team went on to win the 1946 Orange Bowl
. He later became the head coach of Hurricanes in 1970, following Charlie Tate
's resignation. He was later recognized by the school with the title "The Gator Hater", which was aimed at the rivial University of Florida
. During his time at Miami, Walt mentored future All-Americans: Ted Hendricks
, Bill Miller
and Ed Weisacosky
. He was finally was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame in 1969.
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...
player in the He played in the league from 1940–1942 and again in 1944. Walt played for the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
and "Card-Pitt
Card-Pitt
Card-Pitt was the name for the team created by the temporary merger of two National Football League teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Chicago Cardinals, during the 1944 season. The teams were forced to merge, because both had lost many players to World War II military service...
", a team that was the result of a temporary merger between the Chicago Cardinals and the Steelers. The teams merger was result of the manning shortages experienced league-wide due to World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Walter also served in the military during the war. His name is included on the NFL honor roll, which lists over 1,000 NFL personnel who served in the military during World War II.
He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at the University of Miami
University of Miami
The University of Miami is a private, non-sectarian university founded in 1925 with its main campus in Coral Gables, Florida, a medical campus in Miami city proper at Civic Center, and an oceanographic research facility on Virginia Key., the university currently enrolls 15,629 students in 12...
. He served as head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
there for the last 9 games of the 1970 season, guiding the team to a 2-7 record. He began his Miami coaching career in 1943 as line mentor. After playing the 1944 season with "Card-Pitt", Walt rejoined the Hurricanes and the team went on to win the 1946 Orange Bowl
Orange Bowl
The Orange Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game played at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. It has been played annually since January 1, 1935 and celebrated its 75th playing on January 1, 2009...
. He later became the head coach of Hurricanes in 1970, following Charlie Tate
Charlie Tate
Charles William "Charlie" Tate was an American college football player and coach. Tate served as the head coach of the University of Miami for six seasons during the 1960s and two games during the 1970 season....
's resignation. He was later recognized by the school with the title "The Gator Hater", which was aimed at the rivial University of Florida
University of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
. During his time at Miami, Walt mentored future All-Americans: Ted Hendricks
Ted Hendricks
Theodore Paul Hendricks is a Hall of Fame former American football linebacker who logged 15 seasons for the Baltimore Colts , the Green Bay Packers and the Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders in the National Football League...
, Bill Miller
Bill Miller (American football)
William Joseph Miller is a former professional American football wide receiver in the American Football League. He played six seasons for the Dallas Texans , the Buffalo Bills , and the Oakland Raiders...
and Ed Weisacosky
Ed Weisacosky
Edward L. Weisacosky is a former American football linebacker in the American Football League and National Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the sixth round of the 1966 AFL Draft. He played college football at Miami .Weisacosky also played for the New York Giants and New...
. He was finally was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame in 1969.