Steve Sitko Explained

Steve Sitko
Position:Guard
Height Ft:6
Height In:0
Weight Lb:185
Birth Date:18 November 1917
Birth Place:Fort Wayne, Indiana, U.S.
Death Place:Akron, Ohio, U.S.
High School:Central (Fort Wayne, Indiana)
College:Notre Dame (1937–1940)
Years1:1940–1941
Team1:Akron Goodyear Wingfoots
Years2:1941–1944
Team2:Akron Collegians
Years3:1942–1943
Team3:Akron Goodyear Wingfoots
Years4:1943–1944
Team4:Dayton Bombers
Years5:1944
Team5:Cleveland Allmen Transfers
Years6:1947–1948
Team6:Akron Collegians
Highlights:

Steven Joseph Sitko (November 16, 1917 – January 8, 2003) was an American football player for the University of Notre Dame, and a professional basketball player.

As a student at Fort Wayne Central High School, Sitko was best known for his basketball skills, earning the Gimbel Prize for scholastics and sportsmanship in 1936 and reaching the state finals.

Sitko became the starting quarterback at Notre Dame for two seasons, and would often confuse broadcasters when running Elmer Layden's "S" backfield, where all of the backs would be heavily involved in all aspects of the running and passing attack. His teams finished 8-1 (ranked #5) in 1938 and 7-2 (ranked #13) in 1939. He was named to the 1939 College Football All Polish-American Team.[1]

Although he was selected by the Washington Redskins in the 22nd round of the 1940 NFL draft,[2] Sitko chose instead to play in the National Basketball League for the Akron Goodyear Wingfoots. Meanwhile, his cousin Emil Sitko would have a stellar career at Notre Dame as a halfback under Frank Leahy.

Sitko was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 1997.

References

Notes and References

  1. Web site: In The Polish Colony . The Sunday Morning Star . December 24, 1939 . September 2, 2015 . Rosiak, A. J. . 14.
  2. Web site: 1940 NFL Draft Listing . 2023-03-30 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.