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Willie Berzinski was a star halfback on the football team that tied Missouri Valley college 12-12 in the Cigar Bowl in Tampa, Florida on New Year's Day 1954. Berzinski was a starter from his first day at La Crosse, winning four letters on the gridiron while piling up impressive scoring and rushing statistics.
During his junior season at La Crosse, he rushed 124 times for a 7.7 average and scored ten touchdowns. He currently holds 15 La Crosse individual records, including career yards gained and points scored. He was given honorable mention by the Associated Press in its Little All-America selections, NAIA All-American, All-Conferene for three years and as a senior, was featured in a Life Magazine article about small college football players being sought by the NFL.
Willie became a member of the 1956 College All-Star sqaud and played professional football with the Philadelphia Eagles and in the Canadian League. He also won four letters at La Crosse in track as a weight man, long jumper and sprinter. He captained the track squad his senior year.
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