NIC-10's 100 Greatest Players: No. 45 - Don Knauff, Freeport

The 45th player on our list proved himself one of the best linemen in the state, took a break to fight in a war, and then became one of the best linemen in the Big 10.

Don Knauff was the key offensive/defensive lineman for the 1943 Freeport Pretzels, who went 4-2-1 in the Big Eight, finishing second to West Rockford. Knauff earned first team All-Big Eight and All-State honors from the Champaign News Gazette.

His college career would have to wait, though, because of World War II. Knauff enlisted in the U.S.Navy and served aboard the USS Langley, an aircraft carrier, and USS Catoctin, an amphibious force flagship.

After the war, Knauff went to Wisconsin to play for Harry Stuhldreher and later Ivy Williamson, earning varsity letters all four years. He earned some starts in 1947 and was a full-time starter for the 1948 team that went 2-7 overall and the 1949 squad under Williamson that went 5-3-1. He was named All-Big Ten as a guard in 1949 and earned an honorable All-American recognition from a couple of publications.

After earning his degree, Knauff became a teacher and a football coach. He started back at Freeport, moved to Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, and then joined Wauwatosa West High School, where he would spend his final 20 years in education. Knauff died in 2012.

No. 45 - Don Knauff, Freeport
Year	Level	School	Accomplishments	Points
1942	High School	Freeport	Losing Team	0
1943	High School	Freeport	First Team All-Conference	2
			All-State	1
			Winning Team	1
1946	College	Wisconsin	Letter Winner on Power 5 Team	4
1947	College	Wisconsin	Letter Winner on Power 5 Team	4
			Winning Team	1
			Starter	1
1948	College	Wisconsin	Letter Winner on Power 5 Team	4
			Starter	1
1949	College	Wisconsin	Letter Winner on Power 5 Team	4
			Starter	1
			Winning Team	1
			All-Big Ten	1
			Honorable Mention All-American	.5
Total				26.5