Alvin Wistert facts for kids
Wistert (right) with Coach Bennie Oosterbaan in 1949
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| Michigan Wolverines – No. 11 | |
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| Position | Offensive tackle Defensive tackle |
| Class | Graduate |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | June 26, 1916 Chicago, Illinois |
| Died: | October 3, 2005 (aged 89) Northville, Michigan |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Weight | 223 lb (101 kg) |
| Career history | |
| College |
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| Bowl games |
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| Career highlights and awards | |
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| College Football Hall of Fame (1981) | |
Alvin Lawrence "Moose" Wistert (June 26, 1916 – October 3, 2005) was an amazing American football player. He was born in Chicago, Illinois. Alvin played college football as a tackle. He played for Boston University in 1946. Then he joined the University of Michigan from 1947 to 1949.
What makes Alvin's story special? He started college football at age 30! Before that, he worked in a factory for 12 years. He also served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. He played defensive tackle for the undefeated Michigan teams in 1947 and 1948. Both teams were ranked No. 1 in the country.
Alvin was the oldest college football player ever chosen as a College Football All-American. He was 32 when he made the team in 1948. He was 33 when he made it again in 1949.
Alvin was the last of three Wistert brothers to play for the Michigan Wolverines football team. His older brother was Francis "Whitey" Wistert. His younger brother was Albert "Ox" Wistert. All three brothers played tackle. They were all chosen as All-Americans. And they were all inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Alvin was inducted in 1973.
The Wistert brothers all wore jersey No. 11 at Michigan. Their number is one of only seven retired by the Michigan football program. This means no one else could wear it. However, starting in 2012, their number was put back into use. This was part of the "Michigan Football Legend" program.
Alvin's Early Life
Alvin Wistert was born in Chicago in 1916. His parents, Kazimir and Josephine Wistert, came to the United States from Lithuania. Alvin's father was a policeman in Chicago. Sadly, Alvin's father died when Alvin was only 10 years old.
Alvin's mother, Josephine, worked hard to raise her six children. She used money from her husband's pension. This helped her keep the family together. Alvin's family lived in Chicago.
Alvin went to Carl Schurz High School in Chicago. But he left school early. He didn't even play football in high school. After leaving school, Alvin worked in a factory for several years. He used his earnings to help his younger brother, Albert, go to the University of Michigan. Alvin wanted to help his family.
In 1940, Alvin joined the United States Marine Corps. He spent four years overseas during World War II. Alvin often got mistaken for his younger brother, Albert. Albert was already a famous college and professional football player. Alvin remembered an officer shaking his hand in 1944. The officer said, "I saw you play in Philly and at Michigan." When Alvin explained it was his brother Albert, the officer was surprised. This made Alvin want to play football too!
Playing College Football
After leaving the Marines, Alvin worked for a soap company. He found out that Boston University offered tests to help people get into college. Using the G.I. Bill (a program for veterans), Alvin went to Boston University. He played football there as a 30-year-old freshman.
After one semester, Alvin moved to the University of Michigan. He was the last of the Wistert brothers to play for Michigan. Like his brothers Francis and Albert, he wore jersey number 11. This number was retired by Michigan. But it was re-issued in 2012 as part of the "Michigan Football Legend" program.
In 1947, Alvin won an award for being the most improved player. He played defensive left tackle for the undefeated 1947 Michigan Wolverines football team. This team was called "The Mad Magicians." Many people think it was the greatest Michigan football team ever. Alvin was the biggest player on the team at 230 pounds. He was also the oldest. He remembered opponents saying, "Here comes Pappy and his kids again!"
In 1948, Alvin was a junior. He was chosen as an All-American. He played for the undefeated 1948 Michigan Wolverines football team. This team also finished the season ranked #1. In one game, Alvin blocked a punt. This helped Michigan score a touchdown. The 1948 team also set a Rose Bowl record. They beat U.S.C. 49–0!
After the 1948 season, Alvin was chosen as the team captain for the 1949 Michigan Wolverines football team. He was selected as an All-American for the second year in a row.
When Alvin played his last game for Michigan in 1949, a newspaper offered to fly his mother to the game. She had never seen her sons play football in person. She always listened to the games on the radio. She decided to listen on the radio at home. She looked at pictures of her sons while she listened.
Alvin was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1973. He was the third Wistert brother to receive this honor. In 1981, he was also inducted into the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor. Only five Michigan football players had received this honor before him.
Life After Football
After graduating from Michigan, Alvin Wistert worked in the insurance business. He later became a sales representative. He lived in Northville, Michigan, for many years. Alvin passed away in October 2005 at the age of 89.
Alvin had two daughters and four grandchildren. His only grandson, Jason Alvin Neeser, played basketball at Dartmouth College.
See Also
- List of Michigan Wolverines football All-Americans
- University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor
