Anthony “Skip” Minisi, a lawyer, football official and 1985 College Football Hall of Fame inductee, died Thursday, May 5 in Paoli, Pa. Born on September 18, 1926, he was 78 years old.

A southpaw passer and shifty runner, Minisi attended Newark Academy in his hometown before enrolling at Pennsylvania, where he became an instant star for the Quakers. Just 17 years old, Minisi dominated the competition in 1944 as a freshman halfback. Minisi led the Quakers in rushing yards (551), average yards-per-rush (7.1) and total touchdowns (8) that year.

The freshman sensation was best known for his game-breaking plays, returning an interception 69 yards for a touchdown against Dartmouth, scampering 63 yards for a score against Michigan and rushing for another 67-yard touchdown against Cornell. In the Cornell game, Minisi ran for a career-high 140 yards on only 13 carries.

Minisi left Pennsylvania in 1945 to enter the Naval Academy as a reserve. As a star player for the Midshipman, he played a key role in defeating his erstwhile teammates at Pennsylvania that season. Pennsylvania would get the last laugh in 1946 when Minisi re-entered the school and led the Quakers to victory against Navy with Minisi rushing for 57 yards on 11 carries and completing eight-of-ten passes in the win.

In three seasons at Pennsylvania (1944, 1946-47), Minisi accumulated 1,390 rushing yards on only 248 carries (5.6 average) while completing an astounding 56.7-percent of his passes. He was named first-team All-America in 1947.

Following his collegiate career, Minisi was a first-round draft choice of the NFL’s New York Giants, playing one season as a halfback and defensive back in 1948.

Minisi, who earned a law degree from Pennsylvania, went on to become a senior partner with the firm Wolf, Block, Schorr and Solis-Cohen in Philadelphia. He worked as a litigator there for more than 40 years. In addition, Minisi served terms as chairman of the Board of Governors of the Philadelphia Bar Association and president of the Lawyers Club of Philadelphia.

Although Minisi prospered in his law career, the game of football never left him. For 30 years he contributed as a member of the Eastern Association of Intercollegiate Officials, officiating in over 100 major college games.

Minisi is survived by his wife of 55 years, Rita Hentz Minisi, daughter Claire, sons Anthony J. and Joseph, two sisters, and two grandchildren.

-NFF-