BleedGopher
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per STrib:
After serving as an Army combat paratrooper in the Korean War, Dick Yates came home to Minneapolis, eager to dive into civilian life.
Yates, who had played football at Minneapolis Edison High School before his military service, used the G.I. Bill to enroll at the University of Minnesota as an education major and joined the Gophers football team in fall 1954.
Over the next four seasons, the offensive lineman was a mainstay in the Gophers program, taking part in more than 300 consecutive practices (including spring and fall) without missing one.
He spent his first year on the freshman team and three years on the varsity as a reserve offensive lineman. As a senior, he was captain of the Gophers “Bomber” squad, which ran the plays of the Gophers’ upcoming opponent.
But in his three years on the varsity, he didn’t appear in a game for the Gophers until the final seconds of the final game of his senior season.
Yates never thought about quitting over his lack of playing time.
“Because I didn’t want to quit, once I started,” Yates told the Minneapolis Star several days before the Gophers’ 14-6 loss to Wisconsin in the 1957 season finale. “I’ve had a lot of satisfaction from finishing what I started. And I gained plenty from the associations.”
Yates, of Minneapolis, died April 23. He would have turned 89 on May 7.
“I was a sophomore and in my first year on the varsity when Dick was a senior,” said former University of Minnesota Athletic Director Tom Moe. “Everybody loved him. He was undersized [Yates was listed as 5-feet-9, 168 pounds], but tough.
“You couldn’t find anyone who didn’t like him,” Moe said. “One thing that always stood out about Dick was his smile. He was happy and loved being part of the team. He was proud to be a part of the program.”
www.startribune.com
Go Gophers!!
After serving as an Army combat paratrooper in the Korean War, Dick Yates came home to Minneapolis, eager to dive into civilian life.
Yates, who had played football at Minneapolis Edison High School before his military service, used the G.I. Bill to enroll at the University of Minnesota as an education major and joined the Gophers football team in fall 1954.
Over the next four seasons, the offensive lineman was a mainstay in the Gophers program, taking part in more than 300 consecutive practices (including spring and fall) without missing one.
He spent his first year on the freshman team and three years on the varsity as a reserve offensive lineman. As a senior, he was captain of the Gophers “Bomber” squad, which ran the plays of the Gophers’ upcoming opponent.
But in his three years on the varsity, he didn’t appear in a game for the Gophers until the final seconds of the final game of his senior season.
Yates never thought about quitting over his lack of playing time.
“Because I didn’t want to quit, once I started,” Yates told the Minneapolis Star several days before the Gophers’ 14-6 loss to Wisconsin in the 1957 season finale. “I’ve had a lot of satisfaction from finishing what I started. And I gained plenty from the associations.”
Yates, of Minneapolis, died April 23. He would have turned 89 on May 7.
“I was a sophomore and in my first year on the varsity when Dick was a senior,” said former University of Minnesota Athletic Director Tom Moe. “Everybody loved him. He was undersized [Yates was listed as 5-feet-9, 168 pounds], but tough.
“You couldn’t find anyone who didn’t like him,” Moe said. “One thing that always stood out about Dick was his smile. He was happy and loved being part of the team. He was proud to be a part of the program.”
Dick Yates, football player and longtime Minneapolis Park Board employee, dies at 88
In his three years on the varsity, he didn't appear in a game for the Gophers until the final seconds of the final game of his senior season.
www.startribune.com
Go Gophers!!