Harold "Hal" Nilsen

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Tacoma Alt Heidelberg Red Devils

"Great for the Gate" is how one writer described Hal Nilsen's record setting performance of 1938.  Not only was the giant 6'5" pass catcher a sight to behold leaping for passes 10-feet in the air, when he came down he had the speed to outrun nearly everyone on the field.  Fans flocked to see Tacoma come to town and watch the Bill Sewell to Hal Nilsen aerial show.  Against Bremerton, the duo teammed up to smash the Destroyers with three touchdown connections.

Knocking the great Art Ahonen, two-years previous record holder, off his podium, Nilsen set a new league scoring record when he caught his 9th TD pass of the season and followed it up with a receiving PAT to total 55 points for the season.

Short jump tosses, or long 70-yard strikes, if Sewell got the ball anywhere near Hal, it was sure to rack up yardage and points.

Prior to his breakout with the Red Devils, Nilsen was a star at Pacific Lutheran on the gridiron and the hardwoods from 1934-1937 earning 4-letters in each sport and elected captain of both squads in 1937.

Nilsen was nominated by fans for Tacoma Sportsman of the Year in January 1939, along with teammate Sewell, for his outstanding season of play and sportsman qualities.  The award eventually went to Stadium High coach John Heinrick for winning basketball and baseball crowns, and taking the football team to the cross-state championship.

Hal continued to dazzle fans into the 1940's holding Northwest League records for touchdowns, yards gained and total pass catches during his tenure.