Harry Bonk
Encyclopedia
Harry Bonk is an American former football
player. He played college football
as a fullback
for the University of Maryland
from 1945 to 1948, and for Dartmouth College
and Bucknell University
in 1944. The Boston Yanks
selected Bonk in the 28th round of the 1948 NFL Draft
.
, New York
to parents Paul and Louise (née Kalenewcz) Bonk. He attended Dartmouth College
and enlisted in the United States Navy
on March 1, 1944. Bonk participated in the V-12 Navy training program
at Dartmouth, and in November 1944 transferred to Bucknell University
, where he continued his naval training. He played college football as a fullback
at both Dartmouth
and Bucknell
during the 1944 season. A week before his transfer, he was credited with "sparking" the Dartmouth Indians to a victory over Brown. He scored a fourth quarter go-ahead touchdown
in the 14–13 victory.
He later trained at North Carolina Pre-Flight
. Upon the conclusion of World War II
, many of the V-12 cadets were given the opportunity to get out of the Navy. Bonk was discharged on September 18, 1945 at Shelton, Virginia without having served overseas. Bear Bryant
convinced a group of 20 former V-12 cadets to enroll at the University of Maryland
to play for his football team
, where Bonk played from 1945 to 1948. During a practice session in November 1948, he suffered a back injury which "quickly dispelled" the "air of optimism that seemed to emanate from Coach Jim Tatum
". The injury proved minor, however, and he was cleared for action in the following game against the Charlie Justice led team. In that game, Bonk broke free for a 76-yard run
on the first Maryland possession to set up a touchdown, but the Terrapins eventually fell, 49–20. He led the team in scoring that season with five touchdowns.
Bonk also competed on the boxing team in the heavyweight class while at Maryland. He was a member of Theta Chi
and Sigma Nu
. He earned a Bachelor of Science
in education in 1946, and a Masters of Science degree in education in 1949.
On December 5, 1948, Bonk played on the College All-Stars against the Charlotte Clippers
of the Dixie League
. He scored a touchdown in the collegians' 30–21 loss. On December 25, he played on the South squad in the Blue–Gray Football All-Star Game. The Boston Yanks
selected Bonk with the fourth pick of the 28th round in the 1948 NFL Draft
.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
player. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
as a fullback
Fullback (American football)
A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
for the University of Maryland
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
from 1945 to 1948, and for Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College is a private, Ivy League university in Hanover, New Hampshire, United States. The institution comprises a liberal arts college, Dartmouth Medical School, Thayer School of Engineering, and the Tuck School of Business, as well as 19 graduate programs in the arts and sciences...
and Bucknell University
Bucknell University
Bucknell University is a private liberal arts university located alongside the West Branch Susquehanna River in the rolling countryside of Central Pennsylvania in the town of Lewisburg, 30 miles southeast of Williamsport and 60 miles north of Harrisburg. The university consists of the College of...
in 1944. The Boston Yanks
Boston Yanks
The Boston Yanks were a National Football League team based in Boston, Massachusetts that played from 1944 to 1948. The team played its home games at Fenway Park. Games that conflicted with the Boston Red Sox schedule were held at the Manning Bowl in Lynn, Massachusetts...
selected Bonk in the 28th round of the 1948 NFL Draft
1948 NFL Draft
The 1948 National Football League Draft was held on December 19, 1947 at the Fort Pitt Hotel in Pittsburgh.-Player selections:-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:-Round five:-Round six:-Round seven:-Round eight:...
.
Biography
Bonk was born on April 16, 1926 in CoramCoram, New York
As of the 2000 census, 34,923 people, 12,530 households, and 9,121 families resided in the CDP. The population density was 2,532.1 per square mile . There were 12,880 housing units at an average density of 933.9/sq mi...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
to parents Paul and Louise (née Kalenewcz) Bonk. He attended Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College is a private, Ivy League university in Hanover, New Hampshire, United States. The institution comprises a liberal arts college, Dartmouth Medical School, Thayer School of Engineering, and the Tuck School of Business, as well as 19 graduate programs in the arts and sciences...
and enlisted in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
on March 1, 1944. Bonk participated in the V-12 Navy training program
V-12 Navy College Training Program
The V-12 Navy College Training Program was designed to supplement the force of commissioned officers in the United States Navy during World War II...
at Dartmouth, and in November 1944 transferred to Bucknell University
Bucknell University
Bucknell University is a private liberal arts university located alongside the West Branch Susquehanna River in the rolling countryside of Central Pennsylvania in the town of Lewisburg, 30 miles southeast of Williamsport and 60 miles north of Harrisburg. The university consists of the College of...
, where he continued his naval training. He played college football as a fullback
Fullback (American football)
A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
at both Dartmouth
Dartmouth Big Green football
The Dartmouth Big Green football team represents Dartmouth College in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Championship Subdivision college football competition as a member of the Ivy League...
and Bucknell
Bucknell Bison football
The Bucknell Bison football team represents Bucknell University in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision level. Bucknell is a member of the Patriot League...
during the 1944 season. A week before his transfer, he was credited with "sparking" the Dartmouth Indians to a victory over Brown. He scored a fourth quarter go-ahead touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
in the 14–13 victory.
He later trained at North Carolina Pre-Flight
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
. Upon the conclusion of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, many of the V-12 cadets were given the opportunity to get out of the Navy. Bonk was discharged on September 18, 1945 at Shelton, Virginia without having served overseas. Bear Bryant
Bear Bryant
Paul William "Bear" Bryant was an American college football player and coach. He was best known as the longtime head coach of the University of Alabama football team. During his 25-year tenure as Alabama's head coach, he amassed six national championships and thirteen conference championships...
convinced a group of 20 former V-12 cadets to enroll at the University of Maryland
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
to play for his football team
Maryland Terrapins football
The Maryland Terrapins football team represents the University of Maryland in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision competition. The Terrapins compete within the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
, where Bonk played from 1945 to 1948. During a practice session in November 1948, he suffered a back injury which "quickly dispelled" the "air of optimism that seemed to emanate from Coach Jim Tatum
Jim Tatum
James M. "Big Jim" Tatum was an American football and baseball player and coach. Tatum served as the head football coach at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , the University of Oklahoma , and the University of Maryland, College Park , compiling a career college football record of...
". The injury proved minor, however, and he was cleared for action in the following game against the Charlie Justice led team. In that game, Bonk broke free for a 76-yard run
Rush (American football)
Rushing has two different meanings in gridiron football .-Offense:The first is an action taken by the offensive team that means to advance the ball by running, as opposed to passing. A run is technically any play that does not involve a forward pass...
on the first Maryland possession to set up a touchdown, but the Terrapins eventually fell, 49–20. He led the team in scoring that season with five touchdowns.
Bonk also competed on the boxing team in the heavyweight class while at Maryland. He was a member of Theta Chi
Theta Chi
Theta Chi Fraternity is an international college fraternity. It was founded on April 10, 1856 as the Theta Chi Society, at Norwich University, Norwich, Vermont, U.S., and was the 21st of the 71 North-American Interfraternity Conference men's fraternities.-Founding and early years at Norwich:Theta...
and Sigma Nu
Sigma Nu
Sigma Nu is an undergraduate, college fraternity with chapters in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Sigma Nu was founded in 1869 by three cadets at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia...
. He earned a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in education in 1946, and a Masters of Science degree in education in 1949.
On December 5, 1948, Bonk played on the College All-Stars against the Charlotte Clippers
Charlotte Clippers
Charlotte Clippers may refer to*Charlotte Clippers , later the Charlotte Checkers, a team in the Eastern Hockey League from 1956–1977*Charlotte Clippers , an American football team originally in the Dixie League...
of the Dixie League
Dixie League (football)
The Dixie League was a professional American football league founded in 1936 as the South Atlantic Football Association, with six charter member teams in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D. C.. Like the American Association , its popularity rivaled that of the established National Football League...
. He scored a touchdown in the collegians' 30–21 loss. On December 25, he played on the South squad in the Blue–Gray Football All-Star Game. The Boston Yanks
Boston Yanks
The Boston Yanks were a National Football League team based in Boston, Massachusetts that played from 1944 to 1948. The team played its home games at Fenway Park. Games that conflicted with the Boston Red Sox schedule were held at the Manning Bowl in Lynn, Massachusetts...
selected Bonk with the fourth pick of the 28th round in the 1948 NFL Draft
1948 NFL Draft
The 1948 National Football League Draft was held on December 19, 1947 at the Fort Pitt Hotel in Pittsburgh.-Player selections:-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:-Round five:-Round six:-Round seven:-Round eight:...
.