 |
 Frank Hribar's football ability was
evident at an early age. Born and raised in Brownsville, Frank had a
couple of older brothers living and working in Aliquippa who felt
Frank would have better opportunities playing football for
Coach Nate
Lippe’s Quips. Young Frank moved in with his brothers
during his junior high years, but Brownsville challenged the move in
court. The matter was resolved when the entire Hribar family moved
to Aliquippa. Frank went on to star as a two way tackle at Aliquippa
from 1933 to 1935 and received a scholarship to the University of
Wisconsin. After a year with the Badgers, Frank transferred to Duke
and played three years for the Blue Devils, earning All
Southern Conference twice. As a junior Frank was a key player on the
undefeated, untied, and unscored on Duke squad that earned a bid to
the Rose Bowl but were beaten by USC, 7-3. As a senior, Frank was
named second team All American by UPI and third team All American by
the AP. Frank was chosen to play in the first Tobacco Bowl, a
forerunner to the College All Star Game that
pitted college all stars against the defending NFL champions. Drafted by Detroit,
Frank opted to play in the Dixie Pro League and became an All Pro at
Norfolk. In 1943 Norfolk ‘loaned’ Frank to the Washington Redskins
when the war depleted many NFL rosters. Frank helped the Redskins
reach the NFL championship, where they lost to Chicago. Frank then
entered the service and became an All Star in the military leagues,
later coaching service and high school teams in the Norfolk area. He
was inducted in the Aliquippa Sports Hall of Fame. Frank died in
1976. |
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