Tom Yewcic: Former Football and Baseball All-American

Yewcic to be inducted into the MSU Athletics Hall of Fame Sept. 27.

Sept. 22, 2003

Pittsburgh Steeler fans have the "Immaculate Reception."

Boston College faithful remember Doug Flutie's "Hail Mary."

In East Lansing, Michigan State followers revel in the thought of the "Transcontinental Pass."

It was 1951; the Spartans were down 20-17 to Big Ten powerhouse Ohio State. In the closing minutes, legendary coach Biggie Munn called for their secret play.

Michigan State broke the huddle and lined up in their familiar wing T formation. The ball was snapped directly to the fullback and pitched to the right halfback. The halfback, running as though the play would be a sweep pulled up and threw the ball clear across the field to the quarterback who was streaking down the sidelines.

Touchdown! Spartans win! 24-20!

That halfback was Tom Yewcic and that play will forever be known as the "Transcontinental Pass."

"I was young, 18-years-old," Yewcic said. "You never think about pressure, you just execute."

Three weeks before the first game of the 1952 season, Yewcic was moved to quarterback. Trailing 13-0 against their hated rival Michigan, Munn sent Yewcic in. The sophomore star-in-the-making led the Spartans all the way back and defeated their adversaries, 27-13.

"The first game I ever played at quarterback at any level was in front of 104,000 people," Yewcic said.

Michigan State went on to win a share of the National Championship that year and Yewcic was named All-American.

Under Yewcic's direction, Michigan State also earned a share of the Big Ten title in 1953 and beat UCLA 28-20, in the 1954 Rose Bowl. He went on to set then single-season records for passing (941) and punting (1788) yards.

The youngest of seven athletic brothers, Yewcic came to Michigan State from Conemaugh, Pa., in 1951. He came here to play catcher for Coach John Kobs' baseball team in addition to football.

Behind the plate, Yewcic led Michigan State to a Big Ten Championship in 1953 and a third place finish at Nationals. He won the most valuable player award in the College World Series that year. To this day, Yewcic remains the only Spartan ever to win that honor. He was also a first-team All-American that season.

None of his would have been possible if Yewcic had decided that money was the most important thing. In 1954, he was offered a $50,000 contract to play professional baseball. After much deliberation, Yewcic chose to return to Michigan State and finish his collegiate career.

"It was hard to turn down, that was a lot of money back then," Yewcic said. "I thought about it and I just wanted to come back. I didn't want to miss out on anything."

Tom Yewcic was selected as the 1954 College World Series MVP.

Yewcic chose to pursue baseball after college and was signed by the Detroit Tigers in 1954. He was sent to the Tigers' single A affiliate in Augusta, Ga., where he hit .320 and hammered nine home runs. After spending time with the triple A club in Buffalo, N.Y., Yewcic played the 1957 season in the majors with the Detroit Tigers.

Once a few years passed, Yewcic decided to try his hand at professional football signing with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League in 1960. One season later, Yewcic got his shot in the NFL when he joined the Boston Patriots. He played quarterback and punter for the Patriots for six seasons.

In addition to his playing days, Yewcic spent 10 years coaching in the Patriots organization.

With his trademark tousled-hair and his tremendous talent, Yewcic will forever be remembered for the "Transcontinental Pass" and he will go down as one of the greatest Spartans of all-time.

** Tom Yewcic is among five members of the Class of 2003 who will be inducted into the MSU Athletic Hall of Fame September 27, 2003. Joining Yewcic in this year's class is Lauren Brown (cross country/track, 1928-31), Joe DeLamielleure (football, 1970-72), Mary Fossum (golf coach, 1973-97) and Cheryl Gilliam (track, 1978-81).

** Today marks the first installment of a five-part series unveiling the members of the MSU Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2003. Former women's track standout Cheryl Gilliam will be highlighted tomorrow.

** The MSU Athletics Hall of Fame, which is located in the Clara Bell Smith Student-Athlete Academic Center on the campus of Michigan State University, was dedicated on Oct. 1, 1999. It is open to the general public on home football Saturdays, normally two hours after the game. The $250,000 Hall of Fame displays key moments in Spartan athletic history as well as plaques of the 77 current inductees. The charter class of 300 former Spartan athletes, coaches and administrators was inducted in 1992.