Bobcat History Lesson #9: Bill Zupan
11/4/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
On October 18, 1947, Bill Zupan returned a punt 26 yards to on Butte's hard-scrabble Naranche Stadium field to set up Montana State's winning touchdown against the Grizzlies. That Bobcat win snapped a 10-game, 15-year losing streak against the University of Montana, and was the only Montana State win in the series between 1932 and 1956. To this day, Bill Zupan describes that as one of the greatest thrills of his life.
The achievement that tops his list, though, involves a vastly different kind of field. Like most of the male students at Montana State in the late 1930s and early 1940s, Bill Zupan served his country in World War II. Unlike many, he escaped the battlefields of Europe with his life. "It was an honor and a privilege to serve," Zupan says as America prepares to celebrate the 60th Veteran's Day since World War II ended. "I was glad to serve, and I was glad to get out of there alive."
The Bobcat football program honors Bill Zupan during today's game against Sacramento State. He will deliver the game ball to midfield for the coin toss, and will watch the game as the guest of Bobcat Athletics.
Thirteen men who played with Zupan perished in service, including his older brother, Al. Bill Zupan served in the 65th and 9th Infantry Divisions in France and Austria. "I was really excited until that first shot zipped over my head," he says with a laugh. A fine halfback for the Bobcats both before and after the War, Zupan enjoyed his time at Montana State. "It was a normal place, a real nice college, very close-knit."
Zupan made noteworthy contributions to the Bobcat grid fortunes, even as a young player. After playing freshman ball in 1940 he became a regular the next year, making history during the Bobcat-Grizzly game in Butte. The sophomore halfback took a lateral from quarterback Jinx Anderson, then tossed the ball back to Anderson streaking down the sideline for a 40-yard touchdown. That was the first touchdown a Bobcat team had scored against Montana since 1932, and was the longest touchdown pass by a Montana State player against the Grizzlies to that point.
When Zupan returned from the War, he rejoined the Bobcat football team. That 1946 squad made history, becoming the first team from the state to advance to a bowl game. Montana State battled New Mexico to a 13-13 tie in the Harbor Bowl. A year later, he helped lead the Bobcats to that historic win over the Grizzlies.
The former Centerville High star spent most of his years after leaving Montana State in Great Falls, and now resides in Helena. He is a member of the Wendy's of Montana/MSU Athletics Hall of Fame with the rest of his teammates from 1946. His memories of his alma mater are many and fond, but his greatest work was done in the hills and fields of Europe. For that, and for the sacrifice of all Montanans in World War II, we are all grateful.
The achievement that tops his list, though, involves a vastly different kind of field. Like most of the male students at Montana State in the late 1930s and early 1940s, Bill Zupan served his country in World War II. Unlike many, he escaped the battlefields of Europe with his life. "It was an honor and a privilege to serve," Zupan says as America prepares to celebrate the 60th Veteran's Day since World War II ended. "I was glad to serve, and I was glad to get out of there alive."
The Bobcat football program honors Bill Zupan during today's game against Sacramento State. He will deliver the game ball to midfield for the coin toss, and will watch the game as the guest of Bobcat Athletics.
Thirteen men who played with Zupan perished in service, including his older brother, Al. Bill Zupan served in the 65th and 9th Infantry Divisions in France and Austria. "I was really excited until that first shot zipped over my head," he says with a laugh. A fine halfback for the Bobcats both before and after the War, Zupan enjoyed his time at Montana State. "It was a normal place, a real nice college, very close-knit."
Zupan made noteworthy contributions to the Bobcat grid fortunes, even as a young player. After playing freshman ball in 1940 he became a regular the next year, making history during the Bobcat-Grizzly game in Butte. The sophomore halfback took a lateral from quarterback Jinx Anderson, then tossed the ball back to Anderson streaking down the sideline for a 40-yard touchdown. That was the first touchdown a Bobcat team had scored against Montana since 1932, and was the longest touchdown pass by a Montana State player against the Grizzlies to that point.
When Zupan returned from the War, he rejoined the Bobcat football team. That 1946 squad made history, becoming the first team from the state to advance to a bowl game. Montana State battled New Mexico to a 13-13 tie in the Harbor Bowl. A year later, he helped lead the Bobcats to that historic win over the Grizzlies.
The former Centerville High star spent most of his years after leaving Montana State in Great Falls, and now resides in Helena. He is a member of the Wendy's of Montana/MSU Athletics Hall of Fame with the rest of his teammates from 1946. His memories of his alma mater are many and fond, but his greatest work was done in the hills and fields of Europe. For that, and for the sacrifice of all Montanans in World War II, we are all grateful.
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