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  1940 Northwest Player of the Year

 

Frank Stojack

Defensive Line

Boeing Bombers

 

Frank Stojack, former Brooklyn Dodger who tackled the likes of Bronco Nagurski, was unstoppable on a Boeing Aero Mechanics defensive line that went unscored upon all season.  So efficient was the Stojack led defense, who was coincidentally the coach, that the "Bombers" would punt on 1st and 2nd downs when the offense was playing especially bad just to put the defense back on the field.  This frustrated the likes of the Enumclaw Barons who lost a game in 1940, but tied the Bombers 0-0 twice.  They felt it was an unfair thing to not put the offense out the full compliment of plays, while Stojack felt better about his defense creating a turnover and scoring than he felt about his offense hanging on to the ball at crucial times.  The Bombers finished the season 4-0-4 with all four ties being scoreless defensive battles which suited the former wrestling champion just fine.

They may not have liked his coaching tactics, but his defensive line play was undeniable and league officials rewarded him with the Northwest's Most Valuable Player honor of 1940.

The former Tacoma product who won 13 varsity letters at Lincoln High also carried the Richard Graff Trophy for combined athletic and scholastic achievement.  He carried a 92 grade average (on a 100 scale).  At Washington State he won all-coast honors in football and wrestling and was mentioned as an all-american by several outlets, was undefeated as a heavyweight wrestler winning the Pacific Coast title three years.  With sights on the 1932 Olympic Trials, nobody would put up the funds to send him, but a highly touted Gonzaga wrestler many Spokane residents were booming about and raising funds for, found himself staring at the lights as Stojack pinned him and ended his hopes of an Olympic berth.

Stojak appeared in the "Muscle Bowl" of 1953 playing against the Seattle Ramblers in a charity event.  The "Rasslers", professional wrestlers along with former footballers like Stojak, Luther Lindsey, Pepper Gomez and Bronko Nagurski.

 

   

 

 
 
 
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