Pregulman, Merv

Mervin Pregulman

Pregulman was an All-America at tackle in the 1940s. In 1943, famed sportswriter Grantland Rice wrote that Pregulman was, "...fast and alert...was voted the best combination center, guard, and tackle the Middlewest had known in years." He later played four seasons in the NFL.

In 1998, Merv and his wife (also a graduate of Michigan) endowed a scholarship at the University of Michigan. Applicants for the Mervin and Helen S. Pregulman Endowed Scholarship Fund will be chosen based on their leadership ability, financial need, and commitment to work in the Jewish community after graduation.

Pregulman said, "Helen and I are strongly committed to Jewish communal service. We see it as essential to the health and vitality of the Jewish communities throughout the world. The students...will play an integral role in administration and related activities at synagogues and Jewish Community Centers in the future. We hope to encourage more leadership from our young adults through this scholarship program..."

Birth and Death Dates:
b. October 10, 1922

Career Highlights:
An outstanding guard at the University of Michigan in the early 1940s, in 1941, Merv earned the team's Meyer Morton Award as the most improved player during spring drills. That year, he started at right guard and was named Grantland Rice All-America honorable mention as Michigan had a record of 6-1-1 (ranked No. 5) and outscored their opponents 147-41. In 1942, the Wolverines went 7-3 and were ranked No. 7. Merv was named Grantland Rice All-America honorable mention at center.

In 1943, Michigan went 8-1-0, were co-champions of the Big Ten and finished the year ranked No. 3 in the nation. Merv was named Grantland Rice All-America first team at guard, UP All-America second team at tackle, and AP All-America third team at tackle. His outstanding, aggressive play allowed the Wolverines to successfully run their single-wing offense and outscore their opponents 302-73.

After graduating in 1944, Pregulman was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the first round (seventh overall) of the NFL draft. Due to World War II, Merv did not play in the NFL until 1946 (he served in the U.S. Navy) and that same year he played in the College All-Star Game.

In 1946, the Packers finished the season 6-5-0, third in the NFL West. Pregulman played the next two seasons with the Detroit Lions (who had a combined record of 5-19-0) before joining the New York Bulldogs in 1949. It was the franchise's only season as the Bulldogs (it was also known as the Boston and New York Yanks) and the team finished with a dismal 1-10-1 record. Merv retired following the season after playing in 47 career NFL games. In 1988, Pregulman was inducted into the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.

Origin:
Lansing, Michigan

Career Dates:
Pregulman played center, guard, and tackle at the University of Michigan from 1941-1943. He then played in the NFL as a guard, center, and linebacker with the Green Bay Packers in 1946, with the Detroit Lions from 1947-1948, and for the New York Bulldogs in 1949.

Physical description:
6'3", 215 pounds

Career Statistics:
In the NFL:
Games: 47

Extra points made: 26
Extra points attempted: 27
Extra point percentage: 96.3

Field goals made: 2
Field goals attempted: 6
Field goal percentage: 33.3

Interceptions: 3
Interception return yards: 15

Punt returns: 1
Punt return yards: 9

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