FROM PRESS RELEASE: Pitt Hall of Famer Marshall Goldberg Passes Away

April 5, 2006

Marshall Goldberg, one of the greatest running backs in college football history and a member of Pitt's famed "Dream Backfield" of the 1930s, died Monday at the age of 88 in Chicago , where he made his home. Goldberg played professional football for the Chicago Cardinals in 1939-42 and in 1946-48 and was named All-Pro six times, in a career that was interrupted while he served in the Navy in World War II. His interception against the Philadelphia Eagles clinched the Cardinals' only NFL championship in 1947. The Cardinals retired his No. 99. During his storied career at Pitt, Goldberg gained 1,957 yards between 1936 and 1938, a school record that stood until Tony Dorsett broke it in 1974. Goldberg was a two-time All-American, third in the Heisman balloting in 1937, and runner-up for the Heisman in 1938. In 1958, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Playing under legendary coach Jock Sutherland, Goldberg led Pitt to a three-year record of 25-3-2 and national championships in 1936 and 1937.

As a high school sophomore in Elkins , W.Va. , Goldberg weighed just 110 pounds and was dubbed "Biggie" by his friends. But at Pitt he became become a strong and durable back who excelled not only as a runner but also as a passer, blocker and quick-kicker. In 1938, Sutherland asked Goldberg to relinquish his starting left halfback post to the talented Dick Cassiano and move to fullback. Goldberg readily agreed. With John Chickerneo operating as the No. 1 quarterback and Curly Stebbins entrenched at right halfback, what became known as the Panthers' "Dream Backfield" was in place. The group earned national acclaim, not only as the best backfield in the country that year, but also as one of the best to ever play the game.

Following his college and professional playing days, Goldberg went on to become owner and president of a heavy-machinery company in Illinois . In the 1980s, he served on Pitt's Board of Trustees, becoming an emeritus member in 1986. While on the board, he served on the Athletics Committee, Student Affairs Committee and Academic Affairs and Libraries Committee. He also was on Pitt's School of Information Sciences Board of Visitors.

Pitt retired Goldberg's No. 42 jersey at halftime of the Panthers' 21-17 victory over Miami ( Fla. ) on Sept. 18, 1997 . He is one of only eight football players at Pitt to receive that honor. In the Panthers' final game at Pitt Stadium -- a 37-27 victory over Notre Dame on Nov. 13, 1999 -- Goldberg presided over the closing ceremony in which he "captured the spirit of Pitt Stadium" in a wooden chest. Two years later, he released the spirit at Heinz Field when the Panthers hosted Miami on Sept. 27, 2001 . The chest remains on display in Pitt's football practice facility.

" Marshall Goldberg set a timeless example of the student-athlete ideal," Pitt athletic director Jeff Long said. "He was a fierce competitor on the field and a driven achiever off of it. His stature as one of the all-time best college football players is well documented. What people should also know is that he was a Hall-of-Fame caliber person and professional as well. Marshall Goldberg truly embodied what is great about the University of Pittsburgh . Our deepest sympathies go out to his family and loved ones." Goldberg was a member of 15 halls of fame and was named by Sports Illustrated to the 1930s College Football Team of the Decade.

Memorial contributions may be made to:

Marshall Goldberg Fund for Traumatic Brain Injury Research
c/o Marilyn Kraus, M.D.
University of Illinois at Chicago Center for Cognitive Medicine
912 South Wood Street
Room 830
Chicago , IL 60612