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William Happel

Position(s): RB, WR, DB

William Happel attended McKinley High School and lived in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He was a multi-sport athlete and earned first-team All State in football. Despite his size, he joined the Iowa football team, and became a stand-out back in Iowa coach Forrest Evashevski's spectacular wing-T offense.

As a sophomore in 1955, he carried the ball 12 times for 73 yards, most of them against Notre Dame in the final game of the season. In 1956, Happel played on the Hawkeyes' 1956 Big Ten Conference championship team. He scored a touchdown in the 1957 Rose Bowl game. He carried the ball 103 times, more than any other Iowa back that season and averaged 4.2 yards per carry. He shared the top spot in the Big 10 as the leagueâ€™s leading pass interceptor. Against Minnesota, he picked off two passes.

Upon graduation from the University of Iowa, Happel joined the coaching staff for two Big Ten championship teams, including the 1958 team that went to the Rose Bowl.

Like his father, Bill Happel played for Iowa and also scored a touchdown in the 1986 Rose Bowl.

Born 7/15/1936 and died on 9/26/2014 at the age of 78.

Children: Bill Happel