Member Biography

During the mid-1930's, college football produced a remarkable string of great centers. Darrell Lester, Gomer Jones, Bob Herwig, Alex Wojciechowicz, Dan Hill and Ki Aldrich are among the list of Hall of Fame centers from this era. Ranking among these standouts is Auburn's Walter Gilbert. Gilbert was an outstanding blocker as well as an excellent linebacker. He was a swift defensive player who recorded numerous interceptions, followed by long returns, such as his 59-yard return against Tulane in 1935. Gilbert was a two-time first team All-Southeastern Conference selection and gained All- America recognition in 1935. During the 1936 season, Gilbert played the entire game in six consecutive contests. After the Louisiana State game, Sports Editor Bill Blake wrote, "LSU put two men on Gilbert for 60 minutes and he took a terrific pounding, but he never stopped charging through to nail the ball-carrier. Our personal statistics had Gilbert with half the tackles as well as intercepting two enemy passes. There is none who can equal the Auburn center." Gilbert served in the Army during World War II and was a major in field artillery. He worked for Texaco and rose to the rank of vice-president in charge of international operations. He retired at Texaco in 1977 and moved back to Auburn where he died in 1979