Temple University Athletics
FORMER TEMPLE FOOTBALL STAR WILFRED H. "WHIP" LONGSDERFF PASSES AWAY
8.12.03 | Football
Born August 21, 1912, Longsderff graduated from Pine Grove (Pa.) High School in 1932 before becoming the first Temple football player to receive a full athletic scholarship. In 1934, he teamed with quarterback Glenn Frey, and fellow running backs Dave Smukler and Danny Testa, to form a backfield considered the nation's best. That year, the Owls posted a 7-0-2 regular-season record before losing to Tulane 20-14 in the inaugural Sugar Bowl on January 1, 1935, in New Orleans, La.
Longsderff was an active member of the Temple University Owl Club and was one of four primary contributors to Edberg-Olson Hall, Temple's state-of-the-art football facility that opened December 9, 2000. A plaque recognizing Longsderff adorns the entrance wall of Head Coach Bobby Wallace office.
Services will be held at: 2:00 PM Wednesday, August 13, 2003 at Buse Funeral Home; 145 North Grant Street; Palmyra, Pa. Visitation times are: 6:00 p.m. -- 8:00 p.m. Tuesday and 1:00 p.m. -- 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
