Kenosha’s Alan “The Horse” Ameche was presented with the Heisman Trophy at the Downtown Athletic Club in New York.
Kenosha’s Alan “The Horse” Ameche was presented with the Heisman Trophy at the Downtown Athletic Club in New York.

Alan Ameche Hauls in the Heisman

This Date in Kenosha Sports History: "The Horse" earns college football's top award

By David MarranKENOSHA.COM

As the longtime Kenosha News sports editor, Marran mentored a team of talented writers over a span of two decades, crafting award-winning coverage and high praise from the local sports community.

On this date (December 9, 1954), Kenosha’s Alan “The Horse” Ameche was presented with the Heisman Trophy at a ceremony at the Downtown Athletic Club in New York.

The Bradford graduate earned college football’s top award after rushing for 641 yards and nine touchdowns while playing both ways as a senior at Wisconsin.

The star of Bradford’s legendary 1950 team notched 1,018 points in voting by 1,318 sports writers and broadcasters. Oklahoma’s Kurt Burris finished second with 838 points.

Ameche, a two-time All-American, finished his career as the NCAA’s all-time leading rusher with 3,345 yards.

Note: Ameche, who died in 1988, was the Colts first round pick in 1955. A four-time Pro Bowler, Ameche is a member of at least three Halls of Fame and was named the greatest player in Wisconsin’s all-time team in 1969.

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