Hall of Fame
Position: Halfback
Years: 1921-1924
Place of Birth: Pendleton, NY
Date of Birth: Jun 06, 1901
Place of Death: New York, NY
Date of Death: Nov 02, 1952
Height: 5-10
Weight: 180
High School: Buffalo, NY (Masten Park HS)
In the Columbia - New York University game of 1924, the NYU defense knew that victory depended upon its ability to stop the Lions' fleet-footed Walter Koppisch. However, the NYU effort failed miserably. Koppisch stunned the rival defense with electrifying touchdown runs of 76, 67 and 55 yards - all in one quarter - as Columbia romped to a 4O-O victory. Koppisch's performance prompted Lion coach Percy Haughton to proclaim: "He's the best back I've ever coached!" But Koppisch was also an all-around talent. He was also a bone-crushing blocker on offense and a defensive player of bruising tackling abilities. A four-year letterman for Columbia, Koppisch captured All-America recognition in both his junior and senior seasons. And in 197O, when Columbia marked its 1OOth anniversary of football competition, Koppisch was a leading vote-getter in that centennial balloting. Ironically, one of his teammates during those early seasons of the 192O's was to gain greatness in another sport. Lou Gehrig, the New York Yankee baseball legend, was a lineman for the Lions, clearing paths for Koppisch. Koppisch, truly one of the outstanding breakaway runners in the history of Eastern football, died in 1953.
