Here are a few profiles of prominent figures in the history of the varsity football program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and its predecessor institutions. I would greatly appreciate any input, and I encourage anyone to include any suggestions of more former coaches or players to be included in another profile.
I. Robert Zuppke Profile• Robert Zuppke, Quarterback, 1898-1901
• Lettered in Football, Baseball, and Basketball
• Head Coach at the University of Illinois, 1913-1941
• Compiled a record of 131-81-13 as Head Coach
• Won 4 National Championships (1914, 1919, 1923, 1927)
• Won 7 Big Ten Championships (1914, 1915, 1918, 1919, 1923, 1927, 1928)
• Coached Red Grange, considered one of the greatest players in college football history, at the University of Illinois
II. Honors and Awards• College Football Hall of Fame, Inducted, 1951
• Credited for many football inventions and traditions
• Innovator of the “pocket” and “screen” passing
• First coach to use the 5-4-2 defense
• Invented the flea-flicker, the huddle and the spring practice
I. Herman Kluge Profile• Herman Kluge, Guard and Tackle, 1924-1927
• All-Conference Guard and Tackle, 1926-1927
• Captain of Track and Field Team, 1925-1927
• Head Coach at Milwaukee, 1931-1955
• All-time leader in wins with 74 wins in program history
• Won 6 Conference Championships (1931, 1938, 1939, 1942, 1947, 1948)
• Athletic Director, 1937-1969
• Chairman of the Physical Education Department, 1937-1969
II. Honors and Awards• Wisconsin State University Conference Service Award, 1970
• University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Distinguished Alumnus Award, 1970
• University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Athletic Hall of Fame, Initial Member Inducted, 1972
• University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Distinguished Service Award, 1983
• NAIA District 14 Athletic Hall of Fame, Inducted, 1985
• Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame, Inducted, 1986
I. Bill Carollo Profile• Bill Carollo, Quarterback, 1970-1973
• 3 year starter at Quarterback
• Team Co-Captain, 1971-72
• Big Ten Conference Referee, 1980-1988
• Officiated in the 1988 Rose Bowl
• NFL Referee, 1989-2008
• Officiated in 2 Super Bowls, 1996 and 2003
• Officiated in 7 Conference Championship Games
• Executive Director of the NFL Referees Association, 2001-2006
• Big Ten Coordinator of Football Officials, 2009-present
II. Honors and Awards• University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Football Most Valuable Offensive player, 1970
• University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Varsity Club, President, 1971-73
• UWM Distinguished Alumni Award, Recipient, 1998
• UWM Homecoming Special Recognition Award, Recipient, 1998
• University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Athletic Hall of Fame, Inducted, 1999
• Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame, Inducted, 2006
• Board Member Emeritus, National Association of Sports Officials
I. Mike Reinfeldt Profile• Mike Reinfeldt, Safety, 1971-1974
• Four year starter at Safety
• Team Co-Captain, 1973-74
• Played in the NFL at Safety with the Oakland Raiders, 1975, and with the Houston Oilers, 1976-1983
• Led the NFL in interceptions during the 1979 season, with 12 interceptions
• Consensus All-Pro in 1979, Started in the Pro Bowl
• Tied for 1st for most interceptions in a single season in Houston Oilers Franchise History, with 12 interceptions during the 1979 season
• Ranks 7th all-time in career interceptions in Houston Oilers Franchise History, with 26 interceptions
• 25 years of experience as an Executive in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, and the Tennessee Titans
• Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Tennessee Titans, 2007-present
II. Honors and Awards• University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee school record holder in career interceptions, with 24 interceptions
• University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Athletic Department Outstanding Senior Award, Recipient, 1974
• University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Chancellor’s Award, Recipient, 1974
• American Football Conference Defensive Player of the Year, NFL, 1979
• University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Athletic Hall of Fame, Inducted, 1984
Also, if/when the football program is brought back it could be a tremendous marketing opportunity to recognize these legends of Milwaukee Football, and its predecessor institutions. For example, Milwaukee Football could retire the numbers, retire the jerseys or create a ring of honor similar to what the Packers have. Also, bobble head games could be introduced by handing out free bobble heads with the aid of a corporate partner. For example, Milwaukee Football could have a Mike Reinfeldt Bobble Head Night, or even a Bill Carollo Bobble Head Night. Here are just a few of my ideas. I would greatly appreciate anymore input that anyone on this board might be willing to share.