Member Biography

Al Brosky brought a new recognition to football achievements. Before his time, all attention was on players' statistics for rushing, passing, receiving, or similar areas. Brosky became famous for pass interceptions. He made 11 in 1950, 10 in 1951, and 8 in 1952. The total, 29, was an NCAA record that lasted 23 years. It was finally topped in 1975. Brosky played safety and was also recognized as a tough tackler. He was Illinois captain and most valuable player his senior year. He returned punts-- 29 in 1950, 18 in 1951, and 5 in 1952 for a total of 52, and he averaged 6 yards on each return. Illinois had a 20-7-1 record in his time. The 1951 team went 9-0-1, won the Big 10, and beat Stanford 40-7 in the Rose Bowl. In 1951 Brosky had a 61-yard run with an interception against Iowa. He had other runs -- 44 against Ohio State, 32 against Indiana, 20 against Wisconsin -- and was heralded for making tackles that prevented an opponent's touchdown or batting down passes that cut off touchdowns. Al was the youngest of 11 children of Mike and Pauline Brosky. His father came to America from Czechoslovakia. Al was born June 9, 1928. He played one year of high school football in 1945 when he weighed 142 pounds. He was a starting halfback for Harrison High School in Chicago. Brosky was in the army from 1946 to 48 and played on a service team in Japan. He weighed 172 and stood 5'10" when he played for Ray Eliot at Illinois. Brosky made All-America in 1951.