Wally Graf

Inducted 1981

Elgin High School Class of 1946

Biography

A triple—threat runner, passer and kicker, Wally was named to the Champaign News—Gazette's All—State team following Elgin High School's 1945 season. During that season, he scored 61 points on nine touchdowns and seven conversions and threw five touchdown passes in the eight game season. Wally considers that the best game in his high school career occurred his junior year against Maine Township High School in which he rushed for four touchdowns.

He also played on two EHS basketball teams that made it to the state finals (1944 and 1945) and competed in track. He won a football scholarship to the University of Illinois. In his sophomore year, Graf transferred to the University of Nevada where he became one of the nation's leading punters and pass receivers his junior and senior years, and he also returned a homecoming game kickoff 100 yards.

In his senior year at Nevada he earned All—Conference and All—Pacific Coast first team honors. After college, he played semi—pro football with the Rockford Eagles and the Aurora Clippers and was a player/coach for the Elgin Torpedoes.