Ray Eichenlaub

Biography

Eichenlaub was born in Columbus, Ohio—his date of birth varies by source, most indicating January 10 of 1892 or 1893.

After graduating from East High School in his hometown, Eichenlaub received collegiate offers from Notre Dame and Michigan. He selected Notre Dame, where he played as a fullback for the Fighting Irish football teams of 1911 to 1914. The Fighting Irish compiled a record of during his four seasons.

With the 1913 Fighting Irish, which featured Gus Dorais and Knute Rockne and finished with a 7–0 record, Eichenlaub scored 12 touchdowns. In the spring of 1914, various newspapers reported that Eichenlaub was in danger of losing his eyesight due to conjunctivitis, but this was refuted by Notre Dame head coach Jesse Harper. For all but his freshman season, Eichenlaub was named to All-Western teams and received All-America honors from some selectors of the era.

Eichenlaub also competed in track and field, in shot put and discus, for Notre Dame. Eichenlaub quit athletics early in 1915 and was succeeded by Dutch Bergman.

Eichenlaub served in the United States Army in the 12th Field Artillery Regiment from September 1917 to December 1918, and was honorably discharged as a lieutenant. He played on the military football team at Camp Sherman, Ohio, in the fall of 1917. In December 1922, Eichenlaub played in an all-star charity game at Ohio State University. He also played four games for the Columbus Tigers of the National Football League (NFL) in 1925, and served as a college football official for 25 years.

Outside of athletics, Eichenlaub was an insurance executive in his hometown of Columbus. A son, Ray Jr., played football at Notre Dame in the early 1940s. Eichenlaub was elected president of the Notre Dame alumni association for 1940–41. He died in Columbus in 1949 of a heart attack, and was buried in Lockbourne, Ohio.

Notes

References

References

1. (April 1942). "Draft Registration Card". [[Selective Service System]].
2. (September 12, 1911). "Eichenlaub in Demand". [[Akron Beacon Journal]].
3. (September 28, 1927). "Lookin' On: The Wearer of No. 13". [[South Bend Tribune]].
4. (December 2, 1913). "Seasons Score Credited to Stars: Eich Got 12 Touchdowns". [[South Bend Tribune]].
5. (March 27, 1914). "Total Blindness Threatens Star Full Back of Notre Dame Eleven". [[The Cincinnati Enquirer]].
6. (May 5, 1914). "(untitled)". University Oklahoman.
7. (June 15, 1914). "Eichenlaub Is Chosen to Lead Next Year's Track Team". [[The Indianapolis Star]].
8. (February 28, 1915). "Bergman Elected Captain". [[The Bismarck Tribune]].
9. (February 1957). "Application for Headstone or Marker". [[National Archives and Records Administration.
10. (November 14, 1917). "Eichenlaub Star on Camp Eleven". [[South Bend Tribune]].
11. (December 3, 1922). "West Defeats East in All-Star Grid Fracas". [[South Bend Tribune]].
12. "Ray Eichenlaub".
13. (October 23, 1925). "National Pro Grid Notes". [[The Rock Island Argus]].
14. Sullivan, Gene. (September 7, 1940). "Wise Owl (column)". [[St. Joseph News-Press]].
15. (June 15, 1940). "Former Grid Star Is N. D. Alumni Prexy". [[Vidette-Messenger]].
16. (November 10, 1949). "Former Notre Dame Star Dies of Heart Attack". [[Troy Daily News]].
17. "Ray Eichenlaub (1972)".