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	Vol.7, No 40, November 8, 1999
	Two-way player rushes, tackles his way to hall By Eric Boyum Daily Forty-Niner Dick Degen played football the way football was meant to be played. Back in the '60s when football players played on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball, Degen could strike fear into the opposition regardless of whether he was lined-up as a fullback or defensive end. Under Long Beach State Head Coach Don Reed, Degen played both positions on a short-handed team that finished with an 8-2 record. In addition, the 49ers scored 40 or more points in four games that year behind the rushing efforts of Degen. "It was the beginning of a very fine football program in those days," Degen said. His efforts paved the way for him to be inducted into the 1999 49er Athletic Hall of Fame class.   Degen is the 16th LBSU football player to be inducted into the 49er Hall of Fame. "I'm extremely grateful, proud and honored to been a small part of this great 49er tradition," Degen said. The two-way player earned all-conference honors at both positions at LBSU in 1963-64 and went on to the NFL to become the San Diego Chargers' Rookie of the Year in 1965. After transferring to LBSU from Cerritos College as a junior college All-American at defensive end in 1962-63, Degen established himself as a rugged rusher as well. His average of nearly six yards per carry as a rusher is third all-time in the 49er record books. The 693 yards gained in his one season ranks ninth all-time for the 49ers. This was done from a position that is designed for blocking and pass protection. On the defensive side of the ball, Degen was named the 49ers' Outstanding Defensive Player during the lone year he played in a 49er uniform. Degen, now a coach of track and field, cross-country and wrestling at Marina High School in Huntington Beach, also serves as an assistant coach on the football team. He is in his 28th year of physical education instruction at the school. Eric Boyum is the sports editor of the Daily Forty-Niner		Discrimination policy revised to benefit veterans   Voice registration glitches bite CSULB   State investigates university practices   Car strikes student   Professor wins state award   Tech company relocates to L.B.   CSU grants funds to address remedial classes Free high school press   Concert success despite low attendance 'The Insider' absorbs audience with direction Two-way player rushes, tackles his way to hall Fall 99 ISSUES DAILY 49ER HOMEPAGE
Forty-Niner Publications, Department of Journalism, California State University, Long Beach ©1999 All rights reserved.