Johnny Roepke

Roepke was born on December 28, 1905, in Jersey City, New Jersey. He attended William L. Dickinson High School there, playing football, baseball, and basketball. Following his third season of high school, where he was named all state as a halfback, Roepke was elected team captain for his senior year of 1923.[1] The Record reported, "John Roepke, all state halfback choice last season, has been selected captain of Dickinson High, Jersey City. Dickinson lost half of its line, but the backfield remains intact, and the school is looking for one of its greatest seasons in recent years."[1]

Shortly before his last sports game with the high school, the state championship baseball game against Plainfield on June 23, 1924, Roepke announced that he would attend Penn State University. As his team's pitcher, he threw a no-hitter versus Plainfield, only letting two people get to a base through a walk.[2][3] Joseph Gallagher of The Courier News wrote, "Johnny Roepke, Dickinson High School right-hander, probably pitched his last high school baseball game yesterday, and he certainly made a good job of it. Roepke held Plainfield High hitless and runless; the only Plainfield batters who got on base were the two he walked ... No home player got beyond second base. Roepke is not slated to pitch against Plainfield High tomorrow in the second game of the series and, unless the series goes to three games, he will not twirl for any high school team again. It is reported that Roepke, who is a star in basketball and football as well as in baseball, will enter Penn State."[3]

During his freshman year of 1924, Roepke did not see much action for the Penn State athletic teams. As a sophomore in 1925, he earned a varsity letter and got his first action as a football player. Late in the season, against West Virginia, he "did good" as a substitute halfback.[4] The team gave him drills following the game to replace Bas Gray as team punter. He also was given the starting left halfback position for their season finale against Pittsburgh, replacing Bill Pritchard.[4]

A November 21 article in The Wilkes-Barre Record reported, "The new halfback (Roepke) is only a sophomore and at the start of the season he was very "green". His work has been improving right along, however, and he did good work as a substitute against West Virginia a week ago. The fact that he is a good punter, the best forward passer on the squad and a shifty man with the ball makes him a triple threat player."[4] With Roepke starting at halfback during the season finale, Penn State lost 7–23 before 50,000 fans. The Penn State team ended the year with a record of 4–4–1.[5]

In basketball, Roepke earned a starting position for the 1925–26 team, replacing Mike Hamas, who retired due to injury.[6] He played the forward position.[7]

Roepke was injured playing football during their game against Lebanon Valley on October 2, 1926, forcing him to miss their games against Marietta College, Notre Dame, Syracuse, George Washington, and Penn.[8] It left the team without a punter, as he was "the best kicking regular on the squad."[8] His injury required an operation, and sidelined him for "at least a month."[9] "Bus" Harrington was shifted to left halfback as a replacement for Roepke.[9] He returned for their game against Bucknell, where he scored three of nine points, contributing to the other six, and shut them out 9–0.[10]

Following the season finale, a loss against Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote, "Especially was it a gloomy prospect for Dr. Sutherland's crew as long as this fellow John Roepke of Jersey City was on the field and had two legs to stand and run on and a right arm with which to throw. How he could run, and how he could throw! His passes were swirling over the heads of the Panthers with a swish like that of a big shell, and they were doing just as much damage as any shell ever did."[11] Following the game Roepke was mentioned on several all-Eastern teams, as well as earned the team captain position for his senior season of 1927.[12]

By the end of week two in 1927, Roepke had already scored 36 points and was leader in the eastern United States.[13] He scored eight against Lebanon Valley in week one, and "ran wild" versus Gettysburg the following week, scoring 28 out of his team's 34 points.[13] Against Syracuse during week five, Roepke kicked the game-winning field goal in the fourth quarter to win 9–6.[14][15] It was Penn State's first ever win in their rivalry with Syracuse.[14] By mid-November, Roepke was "considered by many as an outstanding candidate for the all-America team," according to the Ohio News Journal.[16]

An article in the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reported, "Among the Eastern backs, Capt. Johnny Roepke of Penn State holds a high place. Roepke has stood out in every offensive of the Nitanny Lions this season and has been a consistent ground gainer. Penn State started the season with what appeared to be a poor team but Roepke's excellent play has lifted it far up in the standing."[17]

Another article published in The Evening Journal reported, "Penn State football stars haven't cut much into the All-America class since the graduation of Glenn Killinger. However, in Johnny Roepke, brilliant halfback of this year's team, Penn State believes it has a candidate worthy of serious consideration for the mythical All-America. He has starred in all departments of play this fall and is one reason why Penn State is doing so well after defeat in the initial game at the hands of Bucknell."[18]

By November 21 Roepke was third in the eastern United States in scoring with 89 points, only behind Bob Nork of Georgetown, and Myles Lane of Dartmouth.[19] He finished the season ranked fourth in the eastern U.S., after dropping one spot to Jack Conner.[20] He was named a third-team All-America selection by Walter Eckersall at the end of the season.[21]

He was married on December 22, 1928, to Anne Kost of Tyrone, Pennsylvania.[37]

He later worked for the Manhattan Rubber Division of Raybestos, Inc.[38] He died on February 26, 1962, at the age of 56, following a short illness.[38]