Michigan State University Athletics
Quotes From The 1955 & 1965 Team Reunion
10/22/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 22, 2005
Approximately 200 former players, coaches and managers returned to campus for the MSU Football Players Association Reunion Weekend (Oct. 21-22).
As part of the Reunion Weekend, Michigan State celebrated the 50th anniversary of its 1955 national championship and the 40th anniversary of its 1965 Big Ten and national championships. Both teams were coached by the legendary Duffy Daugherty.
The Spartans (9-1 overall) finished off the 1955 season with eight-straight wins, including a 17-14 victory over No. 4 UCLA in the 1956 Rose Bowl.
Michigan State went undefeated (10-0) during the 1965 regular season, including a perfect 7-0 record in Big Ten play. The Spartans posted road wins over two Top 10 teams during the regular season, defeating No. 6 Purdue (14-10) and No. 4 Notre Dame (12-3). In 1965, Michigan State led the NCAA in rushing defense (45.6 yards per game) and scoring defense (6.2 points per game) while finishing second in total defense (169.9 ypg.).
Among those attending Saturday's MSU-Northwestern game were six All-Americans from the 1965 team: fullback Bob Apisa, linebacker Ron Goovert, halfback Clinton Jones, quarterback Steve Juday, wide receiver Gene Washington and rover George Webster. Headliners returning to campus from the 1955 team included left end John Lewis, left guard Dan Currie, right guard Dale Hollern, right tackle Leo Haidys and quarterback Pat Wilson.
Members of the 1955 and 1965 teams were introduced during timeouts in the first quarter of the Northwestern game.
John Lewis, 1955 National Championship Team
On what Homecoming means to him...
"The big thing is coming back and seeing the guys that I played with and reminiscing a little bit. It's just a great time, and I reflect back to when we were playing. Just the camaraderie, because I started out as a freshman with some guys and we came through together. Being back and seeing those guys who I haven't seen in years, it's just a great feeling to be able to reminisce a little bit and see how they're doing."
His favorite memory as a Spartan...
"The 1956 Rose Bowl, catching the touchdown pass from (Clarence) Peaks and being able to beat UCLA 17-14 on Dave Kaiser's kick. It's very memorable, but the big thing is I was fortunate to play with a bunch of great guys. I wouldn't have traded it for anything in the world."
On memories of head coach Duffy Daugherty...
"Duffy was a riot. I'll tell you what - a joke teller Duffy was something else, he'd keep you in stitches. But by the same token, he knew what he was doing from a coaching standpoint, and I played a little bit for Biggie (Munn) too. But those two guys complimented each other. Biggie was reserved and didn't raise his voice. Duffy on the other hand was fiery and he'd get on you. But you didn't get mad at them - you'd get mad at yourself. Both of them had that knack. I was fortunate to play with the guys I played with, and work with the coaches we had."
Mike Bradley
On what Homecoming means to him...
"This is a great homecoming because I get to come back to campus, see my old teammates, and see how things have changed. There are a lot of new buildings and facilities, but it's still the same Spartan family. It's a tradition and it's great. I love being back here."
On seeing teammates from the 1955 National Championship team...
"It brings back a lot of memories. The faces just don't change, and some of the guys are still in really good shape. We've lost a few guys, and that's part of the reason we want to be here. We don't have that long, and when we started here at Michigan State, we were 17, 18 or 19 years old, and it was the most fun you were probably going to have in your life. We were accomplished, working hard and working as a unit, and we were fortunate to be rewarded."
Dick Barker
What Homecoming means to him...
"It's very meaningful with all these guys coming back. It's just amazing that this many guys would come back. We saw the new facilities, and that's just super. Fifty years ago things weren't quite like they are now. It's a true joy."
On seeing teammates from the national championship team...
"After playing, I was fortunate enough to be a trainer for five more years. I taped ankles and took care of a lot of injuries, so I also know a lot of the guys from the 1965 National Championship team."
Memories of Duffy Daugherty...
"Duffy was a tremendous guy, and very humorous. His claim to fame was his jokes, and he kept us loose, and was a great motivator."
Frank Altimore, 1965 National Championship Team
What Homecoming means to him...
"This is what homecoming is: coming back, seeing my former teammates, just having a good time and feeling what it was to be a Spartan. You get away and you're away, but when you come back you remember. The smell of the grass hasn't changed, the campus is much more beautiful than ever, but really hasn't changed. The friendships you build are something special at Michigan State that can't be beat; there isn't any place like it. And when you come back and see your teammates and friends, and see that they're still well and happy, that's what homecoming is all about, and that's what this reunion is all about."
On his memories as a Spartan...
"I think of Duffy Daugherty, living in the dorms, and putting together two great years: the 1965 and 1966 teams, two of the best recruiting years they've ever had here. And the friendships that I made here at Michigan State have lasted 40 years. I wouldn't trade my time here for anything in the world. Everything that I have today I owe to Duffy Daugherty and Michigan State. I wouldn't have been the same anywhere else."
On how Duffy Daugherty affected his life...
"I coached high school football for 40 years, and I modeled my coaching career after Duffy. He had the wonderful way of keeping a team loose and a fantastic way of getting them ready to play, and when the game was on, he was in charge of that sideline. He was my model, and a lot of times I would think `What would Duffy do?' I miss him a lot. I never had a chance to tell him that; I missed that opportunity. Those are beautiful memories."
