Pollack, Milt

Milton Pollack

Pollack had an outstanding career as a tackle at the University of California in the 1930s, helping the Golden Bears finish No. 2 in the country in 1937. Pollack later played one season of professional football.

Birth and Death Dates:
unknown

Career Highlights:
Pollack played at California in the mid-1930s. In 1936, the Golden Bears finished with a record of 6-5-0 (4-3-0, 4th in the PCC). The following year, they vastly improved to become one of college football's top teams. Nicknamed the "Thunder Team," Cal rolled through the regular season and were ranked No. 1 in the nation following the sixth game of the season (a 20-6 win over No. 11 USC). The following week they remained No. 1 by defeating UCLA, 27-14 (the most points Cal allowed all season), but they then tied a weak Washington team, 0-0, in the next game. Unfortunately, the tie dropped California to No. 2 in the rankings, where they remained for the rest of the year.

California finished the regular season with a record of 9-0-1, outscoring their opponents 201-33 with six shutouts. In the Rose Bowl, they faced No. 4 Alabama, led by All-America guard (and team captain) Leroy Monsky. The Bears defeated the Crimson Tide, 13-0, to finish the season undefeated and No. 2, behind undefeated No. 1 Pittsburgh (9-0-1), led by All-America back Biggie Goldberg. In 1940, Milton became a member of the Columbus Bullies of the American Football League. The Bullies were the league champions that year with a record of 8-1-1. It was the first year of the AFL, which was the third league of that name to challenge the NFL for supremacy in professional football (the first two AFLs began in 1926 and 1936 respectively). Like its predecessors (to which it bore no relation except in name), this league folded after only two seasons due to lack of attendance and finances.

Origin:
California

Career Dates:
Pollack played tackle at California from 1936-1937. He then played tackle in the AFL for the Columbus Bullies in 1940.

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