Sloko Gill
Encyclopedia
Sloko Gill was a standout center at Youngstown State University
Youngstown State University
Youngstown State University, founded in 1908, is an urban research university located in Youngstown, Ohio, United States. As of fall 2010, there were 15,194 students and a student-faculty ratio of 19:1. It is recognized as being one of the premier schools in the country, comparable to Ivy League...

 under coach Dwight "Dike" Beede in the late 1930s and early 1940s. He went on to play for the 1942 Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...

, but his professional football career was interrupted by 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...

.

Early years

Gill was born into a Ukrainian-American family in the steel-manufacturing center of Campbell, Ohio
Campbell, Ohio
Campbell is a city in Mahoning County, Ohio, United States. The population was 8,235 at the 2010 census. Residents generally pronounce the city's name as "camel" , with a silent "PB". Campbell is served by a branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County...

. He gained early recognition as an athlete at Campbell Memorial High School, where he would eventually be inducted into their Athletic Hall of Fame, and was named an All-Ohio football player in his sophomore year by coaches and sportswriters.

Collegiate and professional careers

He was recruited by the University of Tampa
University of Tampa
The University of Tampa , is a private, co-educational university in Downtown Tampa, Florida, United States. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In 2006, the University celebrated its 75th anniversary...

, but after less than a year, he chose to return to Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...

, where he served as captain of the then Youngstown College (now Youngstown State University
Youngstown State University
Youngstown State University, founded in 1908, is an urban research university located in Youngstown, Ohio, United States. As of fall 2010, there were 15,194 students and a student-faculty ratio of 19:1. It is recognized as being one of the premier schools in the country, comparable to Ivy League...

) Penguins. Gill proved to be a tough and resilient player. He started in 35 games at YSU and played in each of the 140 quarters and was inducted into the Youngstown State University Athletic Hall of Fame as well.

Following his graduation, Gill was drafted by the Detroit Lions, where he served as a backup center for Alex Wojciechowicz
Alex Wojciechowicz
Alexander Francis Wojciechowicz was a professional American football player in the National Football League. He was an NFL Hall of Famer as an offensive lineman and linebacker for the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles....

. At the close of the season, Gill enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, a move that brought an end to his professional athletic career.

In his one NFL season Gill played in 11 games and tallied one interception.
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