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Angelo Bertelli

Quarterback

Inducted 1972

Date of Birth

6/18/1921

Birthplace

West Springfield, MA

School

University of Notre Dame (1941-1943)

Bio

Angelo Bertelli played in only six games during the 1943 season, yet won the Heisman Trophy. They were calling him the greatest passer in Notre Dame history as Bertelli completed 69 percent of his passes for 10 touchdowns. The Irish rolled up some impressive scores that season and averaged 43 points a game in the season's first six contests. Notre Dame finished 9-1 losing only to the Great Lakes Naval Station 19-14 in the final 30 seconds of play, yet they retained their number one ranking and the national championship. Just prior to the seventh game of the season Bertelli was called into service with the Marine Corps where he served as an officer at Iwo Jima and Guam. Angelo was an instant sensation at Notre Dame as he was second in the Heisman voting as a sophomore tailback. When the Irish switched to the T formation in his junior season, Bertelli became the team's quarterback and won the first of his two first-team All-America awards. In a game against Stanford he completed ten consecutive passes and threw for four touchdowns. Following military service he played with the Los Angeles Dons and Chicago Rockets in the All-American Football Conference in 1946-48. A knee injury ended his playing career. Bertelli was assistant coach with Herman Hickman at Yale 1951-52. He moved to Clifton, New Jersey, operated a beverage distributing chain, sponsored and coached junior football teams, and for 12 years, 1956-67, broadcast Princeton football games on radio.