David Alston " The Forgotten Legend "
On August 15, 1942, Dave Alston, star of the 1941 Penn State freshman football team, died from complications following a tonsillectomy operation about 6 weeks prior to his highly anticipated regular season varsity football debut. The 20 year old sophomore pre-medical student had been a dominant halfback on the undefeated Penn State freshman football squad (freshman were not allowed to play varsity football at that time), and was expected to lead the varsity squad to a similar record during the 1942 season. Alston and his younger brother Harry – who also played on the 1941 freshman team – are reported to be the first African American football players at Penn State.
Weighing over 200 lbs and standing well over six foot tall, Alston was a triple-threat on the gridiron. He ran with amazing speed, was an exceptionally accurate passer, and could kick more than 60 yards. He was often compared with such greats as Jim Thorpe and Paul Robeson by Penn State football coach, Bob Higgins, and other football experts. Higgins called Alston “the greatest player I ever coached.” Alston had been named the top sophomore football player in the nation by the Saturday Evening Post and a preseason All-American by Esquire Magazine.
Alston was exceptional off the field as well. The son of a minister, he had been president and class valedictorian at a mostly white Midland High School (Midland, PA), as well as a basketball, baseball and football star. In addition, he was an accomplished singer and pianist. At Penn State he was known as a friendly, intelligent, and fun loving excellent student who wanted to be a “good doctor” one day.
This post was edited on 3/28 7:27 PM by Drax1975
On August 15, 1942, Dave Alston, star of the 1941 Penn State freshman football team, died from complications following a tonsillectomy operation about 6 weeks prior to his highly anticipated regular season varsity football debut. The 20 year old sophomore pre-medical student had been a dominant halfback on the undefeated Penn State freshman football squad (freshman were not allowed to play varsity football at that time), and was expected to lead the varsity squad to a similar record during the 1942 season. Alston and his younger brother Harry – who also played on the 1941 freshman team – are reported to be the first African American football players at Penn State.
Weighing over 200 lbs and standing well over six foot tall, Alston was a triple-threat on the gridiron. He ran with amazing speed, was an exceptionally accurate passer, and could kick more than 60 yards. He was often compared with such greats as Jim Thorpe and Paul Robeson by Penn State football coach, Bob Higgins, and other football experts. Higgins called Alston “the greatest player I ever coached.” Alston had been named the top sophomore football player in the nation by the Saturday Evening Post and a preseason All-American by Esquire Magazine.
Alston was exceptional off the field as well. The son of a minister, he had been president and class valedictorian at a mostly white Midland High School (Midland, PA), as well as a basketball, baseball and football star. In addition, he was an accomplished singer and pianist. At Penn State he was known as a friendly, intelligent, and fun loving excellent student who wanted to be a “good doctor” one day.
This post was edited on 3/28 7:27 PM by Drax1975