University of North Carolina Athletics
Patterson Medal Winners
Walt Pupa
- Induction:
- 1947
- Class:
- 1947
1947— Walt Pupa: Football (Woodmer, N.Y.)
Pupa served in the U.S. Navy’s Tunney program during World War II, which assigned physical education majors as trainers for new recruits. After the war Walt returned to UNC to complete both his undergraduate and graduate degrees. He earned All-America honors as the bruising fullback blocking for Charlie Justice and played in the 1946 Sugar Bowl. Two touchdown runs led UNC to a 21-14 win over Navy in 1946. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears but elected to retire as a player following knee surgery and become an assistant football coach at UNC.
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Pupa served in the U.S. Navy’s Tunney program during World War II, which assigned physical education majors as trainers for new recruits. After the war Walt returned to UNC to complete both his undergraduate and graduate degrees. He earned All-America honors as the bruising fullback blocking for Charlie Justice and played in the 1946 Sugar Bowl. Two touchdown runs led UNC to a 21-14 win over Navy in 1946. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears but elected to retire as a player following knee surgery and become an assistant football coach at UNC.
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Saturday, November 29
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