John Pitzer
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- Class of:
- 1937
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- Induction Class of:
- 1977
A three-sport athlete, Pitzer played basketball one year, and baseball and football three years. He held down the "Hot Corner" on the diamond, but his fame came on the gridiron.
A quarterback and fullback, a quote from the times describes him in railroad terms, "An express train is easier to stop than he is when he gathers his legs and starts to dig".
Another writer compared him to a piece of Army equipment, "Built like a baby tank, this fullback chilled 'em and they stayed chilled".
In 1936, Pitzer's senior year, he quarterbacked the team to a 6-2-1 record, the best in the state.
After college, he taught in eastern Virginia. He also played football for four years with the Portsmouth Cubs of the Dixie League, winning the championship three times.
He returned to his native Pennsylvania to become an orchardist and state agricultural leader. Served as president of the Pennsylvania Farmers Association for eight years. In 1969, he was named Master Farmer of Pennsylvania.
He has also served on the Board of Trustees of Penn State University.
