Hall of Fame
Position: Halfback
Years: 1933-1935
Place of Birth: Staten Island, NY
Date of Birth: Sep 27, 1912
Place of Death: Cincinnati, OH
Date of Death: Jan 17, 1974
Jersey Number: 63
Height: 5-11
Weight: 179
High School: Staten Island, NY (Port Richmond HS)
In 1933, a 5-11, 179-pound halfback with the unlikely name of William Shakespeare came to Notre Dame with a reputation as a potent kicker and passer. In his sophomore year he booted five punts that averaged 53.2 yards, but he did not win a letter. In his junior year, he did so well that he was in the line-up most of the time, and had 41 punts for a 40.0 yard average. He also made a name for himself as a runner-passer- kicker you could count on. Trailing 13-12 against Ohio State in his senior year "the Bard" - Shakespeare's South Bend nickname - came in and calmly threw the winning touchdown pass with 32 seconds to go. As a senior, Shakespeare punted 45 times for a 40-yard average, completed 19 passes, rushed for 374 yards and scored four touchdowns. He set Notre Dame career punting records: 91 punts for a 40.7 average. Longest punt: 86 yards vs Pittsburgh in 1935. He won first team All-America Board and International News Service All- America citations. In World War II, Shakespeare went from private to captain, won four battle stars and the Bronze Star for gallantry in action. He was president of the Cincinnati Rubber Manufacturing Company when he died in 1974.
