Member Biography

John Baker was a near unanimous All-America selection in 1931 and one of the fastest lineman ever to play college football. As a junior and senior, Baker won All-West Coast honors. The highlight of his career came in his 1931 senior season as USC won the national championship. The Trojan line of 1931 included three other Hall of Fame players, "Tay" Brown, Ernie Smith and Aaron Rosenberg. This forward wall blocked for SC's "Thundering Herd" backfield that featured yet another Hall of Famer, Erny Pinckert. Playing with these four Hall of Fame players, Baker was part of Trojan teams that scored 1237 points and averaged 37.5 points per game over three seasons. Baker played a prominent role in the Trojan drive to the 1931 national title. Against Notre Dame his last minute field goal lifted USC to a come from behind 16- 14 victory that ended a 26 game Irish undefeated streak. The Trojans concluded the season with a victory over the undefeated Tulane Green Wave in the Rose Bowl. Following graduation, John Baker coached at the high school, collegiate and professional level for many seasons. He died at the age of 71.