Marion Rossi (1986) - Hall of Fame - University of Akron Athletics

Marion Rossi

Induction:
1986
Class:
1956

1953-54
Football
Punter/Kicker
‘56

Like many Akron athletes, Marion “Madeo” Rossi, planned to make a name for himself elsewhere. After graduation from Akron Garfield High, as an All-City quarterback, this Hall of Famer accepted a football scholarship to Bowling Green. However, after one year, he returned to Akron and eventually, after a stint in the U.S. Army, enrolled at UA where he played football for Hall of Famer Jennet “Red” Cochrane in 1953 and Joe McMullen in 1954. In his first season in a starting role (1953), Rossi and his zip teammates captured their first six games on the way to a 6-3 campaign. It was UA’s best record since 1938. During that ’53 campaign, Rossi passed for 893 yards and seven TDs and was the team’s punter as well as extra point kicker. Against Mt. Union, Rossi hooked up with end John Verdon on an 85-yard TD pass, a record, until 1974 Rossi’s efforts earned his first team All-Ohio honors. The following season, as team captain, “Madeo” passed for 836 yards and six more touchdowns on the way to being voted UA’s Most Outstanding Back. A 1956 graduate of the University, Rossi has taught and coached at Garfield and Buchtel High Schools for over 30 years. He and his wife, Mary Alice, have two daughters and reside in Akron.