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Bierhaus was noted for speed, toughness on the football field
Sports Editor Gene Bierhaus was nicknamed the "Battering Ram" for his speed and toughness during his playing days at Brainerd High School and the University of Minnesota.
One of Brainerd's most prominent athletes, Bierhaus died Wednesday at his home in Lake Shore. He was 85.
Bierhaus was a charter member of the Brainerd Warriors Hall of Fame and a member of the Brainerd Dispatch All-Century Football Team.
He went on to letter in football three years at the University of Minnesota and was drafted by the Green Bay Packers, though he opted not to play in the NFL.
At BHS, Bierhaus was a senior on the Warriors' unbeaten 1938 football team. He earned all-state honors as a fullback, which helped him earn a scholarship to Minnesota.
Jim Fitzharris, a 1938 BHS graduate, played football and basketball and competed in track and field with Bierhaus.
"Gene was a great guy," Fitzharris said from his home in St. Cloud, "and a good athlete. I was supposed to call Gene this weekend. I usually called him once year, just to say hi.
"He was tougher than hell, a good football player, a good leader."
Current Warriors head coach Ron Stolski called Bierhaus the "consummate gentleman."
"I know this view is going to be shared by many," Stolski added. "Gene was just a quality, first-class act. But what struck me more than anything was the poise and dignity that he always carried himself with. He was such a marvelous model, I know for me, and for so many others."
At Minnesota, Bierhaus was a member of the 1940 and 1941 national championship teams. The Gophers were 11-0 in Big Ten games, 16-0 overall, those two years under legendary coach Bernie Bierman.
Also at Minnesota, Bierhaus was the Big Ten light heavyweight boxing champion.
Bierhaus was regarded as a solid, versatile player at Minnesota. He played quarterback, halfback, end and defensive back for the Gophers and was known for his speed and tackling ability.
"I didn't play as much as I would have liked (at Minnesota), but I did play," Bierhaus said in a 2002 interview with the Dispatch.
Following the 1942 season, Bierhaus was drafted by the Marines. While in boot camp at Paris Island, he learned he had been drafted by the Packers.
"I thought they must have been hard up," Bierhaus said about being selected by the Packers. "I wouldn't have been able to play there. I only weighed 190 pounds."
Greg Larson of Nisswa, who played for the Gophers from 1958-60, remembers Bierhaus as an outstanding citizen with a distinguished military career.
"I have a cousin who lived in a condo near Gene and worked with him," Larson said. "He thought Gene was the greatest guy in the world.
"When I've been around Gene I would say the same. He's one of those guys who had charisma. He always had a big smile on his face and was the happiest guy, the kind of guy who makes you feel great just being around him."
George Adzick, director of the University of Minnesota M Club, offered his sympathy to the Bierhaus family.
"The University of Minnesota M Club is always saddened to lose one of its own and wishes the family the deepest of condolences," Adzick said.
MIKE BIALKA can be reached at mike.bialka@brainerddispatch.com or at 855-5861.
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