Football Remembers Joseph Kowalski
May 26 | Football
Linebacker part of 1961 undefeated team
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers football mourns the passing of three-time letterwinner (1959-61) Joseph Kowalski, who died May 19 at age 81. A native of Johnsonburg, Pennsylvania, Kowalski was a starting linebacker for the undefeated 1961 Scarlet Knights. He was also a three-time lacrosse letterwinner and honorable mention All-American in 1962.
Kowalski, who also carried the ball as a fullback, earned the 1961 Nils V. "Swede" Nelson Award from the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston as the player nationally whose on-field and off-field behavior exemplifies the football code and demonstrates sportsmanship. He played a key role on the Rutgers squad that finished 9-0 for the first undefeated campaign in program history. That included a fourth-quarter comeback in the season finale against Columbia. The team finished No. 15 in the Associated Press rankings.
Following graduation, Kowalski rose to the rank of captain in the United States Air Force. He flew the F-100 and served two tours in Vietnam, where he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star for meritorious service and nine Air Force Air Medals. Kowalski left the Air Force and moved his family to Sparta, New Jersey, in 1968. He traveled the world during his 32-year career with American Airlines.
Kowalski, who also carried the ball as a fullback, earned the 1961 Nils V. "Swede" Nelson Award from the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston as the player nationally whose on-field and off-field behavior exemplifies the football code and demonstrates sportsmanship. He played a key role on the Rutgers squad that finished 9-0 for the first undefeated campaign in program history. That included a fourth-quarter comeback in the season finale against Columbia. The team finished No. 15 in the Associated Press rankings.
Following graduation, Kowalski rose to the rank of captain in the United States Air Force. He flew the F-100 and served two tours in Vietnam, where he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star for meritorious service and nine Air Force Air Medals. Kowalski left the Air Force and moved his family to Sparta, New Jersey, in 1968. He traveled the world during his 32-year career with American Airlines.
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