Furfari At-Large: Bill Underdonk
October 13, 2003 01:39 PM | General
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October 11, 2003
Bill Underdonk was an outstanding two-way player for West Virginia University during its football golden era of the 1950s.
He earned four letters, one as an end and the other three as a tackle, on teams that combined for a 30-9 record. He was a freshman in 1953 when the Mountaineers earned a bid to the Sugar Bowl and finished 8-2. The other records were 8-1, 8-1 and 6-4.
Underdonk, who's now 69, came to WVU from Moundsville, where he was a star at Moundsville High. He has resided in Huntington since 1971.
"I'm still very much a Mountaineer at heart," he said on a recent visit. "I not only try to get to Morgantown as often as I can for games, but I also keep up with WVU football on radio and TV and in the newspapers."
Though overshadowed by All-America linemen Bruce Bosley and Sam Huff his first three years, Underdonk excelled on both sides of the ball throughout his career. He became a leader as full-time starter his senior season. So much so, he was named the most outstanding lineman of the 1957 Senior Bowl.
Quarterback Fred Wyant recalled recently, "We didn't skip a beat when Billy came in. And he looks so athletic even today."
Underdonk was an 11th-round selection of the Cleveland Browns in the 1956 NFL draft. After receiving his degree in physical education, however, he had to serve six months in the military.
"When I got out, I received a call from the New York Giants," he said. "They wanted to give me a tryout. But I decided to pass up that opportunity and start a career in business."
He spent 37 years with 84 Lumber Co., retiring about eight years ago.
"I joined that company originally in Glen Dale, W.Va.," Underdonk recalled. "Then I worked in Buffalo, N.Y., Circleville, Ohio, Cleveland, and finally in Catlettsburg, Ky., where we opened a store.
"Despite all the traveling, I've always called West Virginia home."
Underdonk, who attended the 1953 team's recent 50th anniversary reunion, admittedly enjoyed his years at WVU.
"Regardless of what you say, you should make friends and I think it helps you all through your lifetime," he said.
He was fond of the late Art "Pappy" Lewis, who recruited him and also coached him. Lewis was so popular and so persuasive that he got just about every West Virginia product he wanted to join the Mountaineer fold.
Many of his pupils played in the North-South all-star game at Charleston. Underdonk and Wyant were co-captains of the 1952 North team that dropped a 19-18 decision to the South. Huff also was on that North team, with Bosley and Bob Moss among standouts for the victorious South.
Underdonk stood 6-2 and weighed 210 while at WVU. "I couldn't play tackle at that weight today," Underdonk admitted.
"But I think being lighter was an advantage because we all played offense and defense.
"It's a different game now. Today's players are specialized. You're either offense or defense and some just special teams.
"Kids are a lot bigger and stronger than we were in the '50s. We didn't do that much weight training. But I still liked our game better.
"You played all 60 minutes if necessary. Nobody does that anymore. But I enjoyed it immensely back then."
Underdonk and wife Deloris, also a Moundsville native, have a grown son, Robert Scott; four daughters, Carol, Sharon, Joan and Jill; and seven grandchildren. Another son, Jacob, died recently of cancer.
