1951 Brandeis Classic Preview

1951 Brandeis Classic

Date	Saturday December 8, 1952
Time	2 p.m.
Location	Miami Beach
Stadium	Memorial Field

The Brandeis Classic was the idea of local leaders in Miami Beach, who wanted to bring big time college football to the city. The Brandeis University football team, from a Jewish sponsored school in Waltham, Massachusetts, had become popular in the community, so an annual bowl game was planned. The seating at Memorial Field was just about doubled to 11,000 for Miami Beach’s first college football game. The University of Tampa received $5,500 to play in the game and any profits would go to the Brandies athletic fund.

Brandeis was in its fourth year of existence and had a legendary head coach. The Judges were coached by Benny Friedman. An All-American quarterback at the University of Michigan, Friedman played eight seasons in the National Football League with the Cleveland Bulldogs, Detroit Wolverines, New York Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers. Giants owner Tim Mara was so impressed with him that he bought the whole Detroit Wolverines team just for the rights to the quarterback. Friedman in generally considered to be the first great passer in professional football. Brandeis was lead by fullback Sid Goldfader, one of country’s leading ground gainers, who returned a kickoff 90 yards in closing game against Arnold College.

1951	Brandeis Results	(4-4)
Date	Opponent	Result
Sat Sep 29	New Hampshire	Lost 33-20
Sat Oct 6	at Hofstra	Won 24-13
Sat Oct 13	American International	Won 25-7
Sat Oct 20	at Wayne State	Lost 34-6
Sat Oct 27	Bradley (IL)	Lost 47-0
Sat Nov 3	at Champlain (NY)	Lost 19-12
Sat Nov 10	Rider	Won 12-7
Thr Nov 24	Arnold College (CT)	Won 41-6

The University of Tampa also had a football legend as head coach. Frank Sinkwich, a Heisman Trophy winning halfback at Georgia, is still remembered as one of the greatest offensive players in college football history. Sinkwich won the 1942 Heisman Trophy and the Detroit Lions selected him with the first pick in the 1943 draft. He was the NFL MVP in 1944 and an all pro for two seasons. He joined the Air Force and a knee injury playing for the Air Force team ended his football career. The Spartans were lead by quarterback John Lahosky, as 18 of UT’s 25 touchdowns that season came on his passes. Lahosky almost did not play due to an Army call-up, but the call was delayed over weekend allowing him to play. His favorite targets were Lou Sequella, H.L. Hiers and Holland Alpin. Receiver Vince Chicko was also a punt return specialist.

1951	Tampa Results	(6-3-1)
Date	Opponent	Result
Sat Sep 15	Patrick AF Base	Won 72-0
Sat Sep 22	at Bradley	Lost 32-6
Fri Sep 28	at Wofford	Lost 21-14
Sat Oct 6	Jacksonville State	Won 40-0
Sat Oct 13	Lenoir-Rhyne	Won 27-14
Sat Oct 20	at Stetson	Tie 14-14
Fri Oct 26	at Appalachian State	Lost 14-13
Sat Nov 3	Livingston	Won 28-13
Fri Nov 9	South Georgia State	Won 54-13
Sat Nov 17	Florida State	Won 14-6

Brandeis went 4-4, while Tampa was 6-3-1, including a 14-6 victory over Florida State, so the Spartans were favored. Most were expecting a wide open, high scoring contest.