[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 16 (Tuesday, February 10, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S787]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                REMEMBERING ELROY ``CRAZY LEGS'' HIRSCH

 Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, today I honor an incredible 
athlete and a hero of University of Wisconsin athletics, Elroy ``Crazy 
Legs'' Hirsch.
  Not many Wisconsin Badger fans can forget the 1942 football season, 
the only season ``Crazy Legs'' spent playing for the University of 
Wisconsin football team. By running, passing, and catching for over 
1,400 yards, the Wausau-born Hirsch led the Badgers to a second-place 
finish in the Big Ten with an 8-1-1 record and a No. 3 ranking in the 
final Associated Press poll.
  Hirsch's football career at Wisconsin was cut short when he joined 
the Marines and was ordered to Michigan for basic training in 1943. 
Hirsch continued his illustrious career at the University of Michigan 
and then professionally with the Chicago Rockets of the All-American 
Football Conference and then the Los Angeles Rams of the NFL. Hirsch 
was instrumental in the Rams' 1951 championship season by leading the 
league in catches, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Hirsch was 
inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1968.
  Hirsch's on-field legacy will forever be remembered, as his number 40 
is one of only 4 numbers that has been retired by the Badgers. But his 
legacy off the field at the University of Wisconsin was just as 
important. He served as athletic director from 1969 to 1987. His tenure 
saw a rise in football attendance and a hockey program that reached 
national prominence.
  The University of Wisconsin and fans from all over the State will be 
forever grateful for Elroy's devotion to UW athletics. My thoughts go 
out to his wife Ruth and his family. ``Crazy Legs'' was a tremendous 
asset to the University of Wisconsin, both on and off the field, and he 
will be greatly missed.

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