Johnny Turco
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Walpole, Massachusetts, U.S.
Walpole, Massachusetts, U.S.
| Profile | |
|---|---|
| Position | Halfback |
| Personal information | |
| Born | January 28, 1930 Walpole, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | March 24, 1960 (aged 27) Walpole, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Weight | 170 lb (77 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Holy Cross (1949–1951) |
| Awards and highlights | |
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| Other information | |
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Baseball career | |
| Outfield | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| Teams | |
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| Career highlights and awards | |
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John Baptist Turco (January 28, 1930 – March 24, 1960) was an American athlete who played football and baseball at the College of the Holy Cross. He was a member of the Holy Cross Crusaders baseball team that won the 1952 College World Series.
Turco was a standout athlete at Walpole High School. The Boston Globe named him to their all-scholastic third team in football baseball his junior year and he was an honorable mention in baseball his sophomore and senior seasons.[1][2][3][4]
Football
On October 7, 1950, he scored five touchdowns in a 41–21 victory over Brown.[5] His three receiving touchdowns against Brown was a school record until 1993.[6] He ran for a then school-record 169 yards and scored four touchdowns in that year's Boston College–Holy Cross game. He was awarded the Captain Edward T. O'Melia Trophy as the contest's most outstanding player.[6][7] He led the team in all-purpose yards (1305), kick return yards (329), punt return yards (174), and receptions (23) and set a school record for most touchdowns (17), receiving touchdowns (9), and points scored in a season (106).[6] His 27.4 yards per kickoff return was the highest average in major college football that year.[8]
In 1951, Turco again led the team in all-purpose yards (993) and 10 touchdowns.[6] He and teammate Mel Massucco played for the North team in the 1951 North–South Shrine Game.[9] Turco scored the North's only touchdown in a 35 to 7 loss.[10] He finished his career with 15 receiving touchdowns and 29 touchdowns, both school records until they were broken by Gordie Lockbaum.[6]
Turco was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 22nd round of the 1952 NFL draft, but opted to pursue a career in baseball.[11]