Findlay’s Gene Fekete was the first Ohio State University football player to be considered for the Heisman Trophy award, finishing eighth in the 1942 balloting, following a dream-like sophomore season which culminated with a national championship under the legendary coach Paul Brown. Fekete led the Big 10 in scoring with 92 points and in rushing with 910 yards, while breaking the league record of Michigan’s Tom Harmon for extra points in a season. The retired school official, who resides in Columbus, was named to Bill Stern’s ‘Look’ All-America team. Fekete, who showed his versatility as a starting guard on Ohio State’s basketball team, was used as a 60-minute football player. Besides running the ball, he also kicked and punted for the Buckeyes. In 1943, Fekete entered the service. When he returned, he signed with the Cleveland Browns, but his professional career lasted only one season (1946) due to a knee injury. Fekete is the only Findlay High athlete ever to be named all-Ohio in both football and basketball. As a highly touted fullback during his senior year in 1940, Fekete rushed for more than 400 yards in a single game.

‍