NFL fans learned with sadness the news of the recent death of former Green Bay Packer quarterback Bart Starr, who helmed the Packers to five NFL championships during the 1960s, but did you know that one Williamsporter, Jack Losch, was selected by the Packers 16 rounds before Starr in the 1956 NFL Draft.

Losch was an accomplished local athlete. He was a member of the first Little League World Series champs, the 1947 Maynard Midgets. In the championship against Lock Haven he had two hits. Later in 2004, shortly after his death, Little League Baseball named its Little League World Series Team Sportsmanship Award in his honor.

Losch was a multi-sport standout at Williamsport High School, meriting a later place on the University of Miami Hurricanes football team, where he starred in three sports. He was named to that school’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1987.

He played for three seasons (1953-1955) as the team’s starting halfback and as a defensive back. The highlight of his Miami career is the fact that he holds records for longest run from scrimmage, 90 yards vs. Bucknell in 1955, and rushing average per carry, 9.06 in 1955, still rank among the tops in Hurricane history.

He was UM’s top sprinter for three years in track and played catcher for the Canes baseball team.

It was this record of excellence that caught the eyes of Packer scouts who drafted him as the eighth player taken in the First Round of the 1956 NFL Draft. Starr was not picked until the 17th Round.

In addition to Starr, Losch was picked ahead of future NFL Hall of Famers and standouts such as Lenny Moore, Forrest Gregg, Sam Huff, Jim Katkavage, Don Chandler, J.C. Caroline, Fuzzy Thurston, and Willie Davis.

Losch only played for Green Bay for one season, 1957, appearing in 12 games while rushing for 43 yards (2.3 yards per carry) and making seven receptions.

In April 1957, Losch joined the United States Air Force where he spent three years as a jet pilot. He did not resume his NFL career, due to an injury, which I believe may have involved his kidney. He worked for 37 years at General Motors Corporation retiring in 1996 as Director of Fleet Services.

He died May 27, 2004 at the age of 69.

I knew Losch slightly. He graduated from high school with my dad. I served with him briefly as a member of the board of directors of the West Branch Sports Hall of Fame, in which he had been enshrined previously. I found him to be a very interesting, enjoyable and purposeful man.