Xavier University Athletics
Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 1981
- Class:
- 1936
Leo Sack, a member of the Legion of Honor and the XU Basketball Hall of Fame, lettered three years in football and basketball. Sack will be remembered as probably the greatest running quarterback in Xavier history. Time after time, he would scoot around the line and down the sideline for a big gain, just when the Musketeers needed a big play.
Sack began his rise in the athletic world at Cincinnati's Purcell High School. It was there that the little athlete participated in football, basketball, and track. At Purcell, he had the unusual distinction of being the only athletic captain ever re-elected in the history of the school, as he guided the basketball team his junior and senior years.
Upon entering Xavier, Sack found himself at a tremendous disadvantage because of his small size and weight. Coaches and players alike, however, quickly discovered that his speed and fighting determination could make up for any size problem that he had.
As a quarterback, he was a real scrambler and was tagged with the nickname "Twinkletoes." His running, gutsy style sparked the Musketeers on many occasions, as he led them to a 6-3 mark his senior year and a 6-2-1 record his junior year. Sack's spectacular play as quarterback brought praise from all parts and a spot on the All-Ohio team.
Sack was also a good basketball player, who used his speed to his advantage. At the time, he was one of the fastest players that had ever played basketball at Xavier.
Probably the smallest athlete selected for the Legion of Honor, he will long be remembered as a superb football and basketball player and as a model Catholic gentleman. The Xavier Yearbook states that "his deeds are, and will be, an inspiration to young men dedicated to the principles of clean living and the best in sportsmanship."
