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. |