Hoisch, Al

Alan M. Hoisch

Hoisch played as a back for the University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) in the 1940s. An All-PCC selection in 1947, he holds the longest kickoff return in Rose Bowl history (103-yards).

Birth and Death Dates:
unknown

Career Highlights:
Hoisch was an All-City selection while at Los Angeles High School. He played one season at Stanford University and then served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. Upon his return to the United States, Al joined the football team at UCLA and was one of the Bruins' top players in the mid-1940s.

In 1946, the Bruins finished the season with a record of 10-1-0, first in the Pacific Coast Conference and ranked No. 4 in the nation. The Bruin offense was one of the best in the country, scoring 29.7 points per game. Hoisch was an important part of the offense and scored on an 87-yard run in a game against Montanta; the run is still the seventh longest in UCLA history. Al was also a terrific kick returner and led the team with an amazing 41.5 yard per return average.

In the 1947 Rose Bowl, which the Bruins lost to Illinois 45-14, Hoisch had a 103-yard kickoff return, still the longest in Rose Bowl history. He also ran the ball four times for 29 yards in the game.

Hoisch continued to be a key member of the Bruins in 1947, averaging 27.6 yards on kickoff returns and leading the team in punt return average (9.9). In a 24-7 win over Oregon, he carried the ball 11 times for 109 yards. That year, he was named AP All-Pacific Coast Conference first team although the Bruins struggled to a record of 5-4-0. Hoisch finished his collegiate career with 99 carries and 619 yards.

In 1948, Hoisch was drafted by the Chicago Rockets of the AAFC (All-American Football Conference) in the 29th round (194th pick), but he did not play in the league. Hoisch was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 1999.

Origin:
Los Angeles, California

Career Dates:
Hoisch played as a back at the University of California-Los Angeles from 1945-1947.

Physical description:
144 pounds

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