Dave Smukler (1969) - Hall of Fame

Dave Smukler

Induction:
1969
Class:
1935

A brilliant all-around athlete during his undergraduate days at Temple University, Dave Smukler is best remembered for his exploits on the gridiron. He did everything on the football field imaginable and did it well. Smukler helped Temple get an invitation to the first Sugar Bowl Game ever played and he went the entire 60 minutes as the Owls extended Tilane before losing, 20-14, on January 1, 1935. Smukler played all over the country. He held the University records for most carries and yards gained in one game until 1967 when Mike Busch broke them against Bucknell. He set the original marks by netting 152 yards on 36 carries as Temple blanked Villanova, 32-0, in 1934. That 1934 team had a 7-0-2 record in the regular season and defeated the likes of Texas A&M, West Virginia, V.P.I. and Holy Cross before being invited to the Sugar Bowl. Dave was an outstanding shot putter for the track team and held the University record for awhile. He was also a member of the basketball team. He played pro football with the Eagles and Boston Yanks.