Mike Basrak

Michael J. Basrak (November 23, 1912 – December 18, 1973) was an All-American US collegiate football player in the mid-1930s. Basrak was Duquesne University's first All-American selection, and the Most Valuable Player of the 1937 Orange Bowl game in Miami, in which Duquesne defeated Mississippi State University, 13-12. Later in 1937 Basrak was the first-round draft pick (#5 pick overall) of the National Football League Pittsburgh Pirates, later called the Pittsburgh Steelers.[1] However, Basrak only played two seasons in the NFL, retiring after the 1938 season.

Mike Basrak
No. 11
Born:(1912-11-23)November 23, 1912
Bellaire, Ohio
Died:December 18, 1973(1973-12-18) (aged 61)
Skokie, Illinois
Career information
Position(s)Center
Height6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight220 lb (100 kg)
CollegeDuquesne
High schoolBellaire (OH)
NFL draft1937 / Round: 1 / Pick: 5
Career history
As player
1937–1938Pittsburgh Pirates
Career highlights and awards
Awards1937 Orange Bowl MVP
HonorsAll-American, Duquesne Univ.

Basrak was an officer in the United States Navy during the Second World War. In later life Basrak served as football coach at Niles East High School (1954–62) and then Niles West High School (1963–73), both in Skokie, Illinois, a suburb north of Chicago.

Basrak died at home in Skokie on December 18, 1973, aged 61.[2] After his death, the Niles West football field was named Mike Basrak Field in his honor.

References
  1. "1937 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2023-03-21.
  2. "Football Coach at Niles West Is Dead at 61." Chicago Tribune. December 19, 1973. p. C4


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