Hall of Fame
Rick Gorzynski, a product of Chicago High School football, transferred to the university from Illinois and played for the Bulldogs between 1965 and 1967. A well-balanced and deceptive quarterback, he was equally effective as a passer or runner. As a sophomore he directed the 1965 team to an 8-2 overall record and the MIAA title. That team narrowly missed receiving a bid to the Pecan Bowl (NCAA College Division Midwest championship game). Mr. Gorzynski was named to the All-MIAA first team after leading the conference in passing, completing 96 of 156 attempts for 1399 yards. The Bulldogs were seventh nationally in total team offense that season with an average of 396.4 yards per game. In 1966, a bad shoulder plagued Mr. Gorzynski. He still completed 56 of 141 passes for 755 yards and seven touchdowns, setting a school record for most single-game touchdown passes (3) against Hills-Dale College (Mich.) that stood for 10 years. As a senior, he connected on 75-of-141 passes for 768 yards and two touchdowns. After graduating from the university Mr. Gorzynski played one year for the Hamilton Tiger Cats of the Canadian Football League. He then started coaching football on the high school level in St. Louis. He was at Hazelwood Central between 1968-74. In 1974, he began coaching at Hazelwood East. He led the 1989 team to the Missouri Class 5-A state championship and earned St. Louis Post-Dispatch and the Sporting News Coach of the Year honors. His teams have won conference titles and made 10 playoff appearances.
