Saint Mary's to Honor "Squirmin' Herman" Wedemeyer
12/28/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
Moraga, CA - On Saturday, November 13, Saint Mary's College of California will honor the memory of its legendary football hero "Squirmin' Herman" Wedemeyer, who passed away on January 25 this year. The College will unveil a new permanent exhibit of Wedemeyer's life and his memory will be honored at halftime of the Saint Mary's versus Cal Poly football game.
Famed sportswriter Grantland Rice once wrote, "I consider him (Wedemeyer) the top all-around athlete in America." A speedy halfback blessed with soft passing touch, Wedemeyer was a unanimous All-America selection in 1945 when he finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy balloting. He still remains the only Heisman Trophy finalist from Saint Mary's and the state of Hawaii.
During the 1945 season, Wedemeyer and the "Whiz Kids" finished the year ranked seventh in the country after a near-upset of Oklahoma A&M in the 1946 Sugar Bowl. During that year, Wedemeyer averaged 4.2 yards per carry, passed for 1,040 yards, averaged 18 yards receiving, intercepted nine passes, and averaged 40.1 yards per punt.
Returning to his native Hawaii, after playing professionally for the Baltimore Colts and Los Angeles Dons, Wedemeyer played the role of lieutenant Edward D. "Duke" Lukela on the popular television police drama "Hawaii Five-O" from 1971-1980. He also served on the Honolulu City Council and was a member of the Hawaii state legislature.
Wedemeyer's widow, Carol, family, friends, teammates, and former football rivals will be on campus to take part in a pre-game brunch (by invitation only) in McKeon Pavilion, featuring the unveiling of a permanent exhibit at the entrance of the Pavilion which will highlight Wedemeyer's life. During halftime of the game, a ceremony honoring Wedemeyer's memory will be held on the field. Following the game, the exhibit will be open to the public.
Among those celebrities expected to be present are former Saint Mary's and Stanford Athletic Director Joe Ruetz, Saint Mary's Hall of Fame members Carroll Canfield, R.V. Johnson and Ed Ryan, former Santa Clara standout Bill Prentice, and former Cal great Don Seaver.
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