Joe Cichy

Last updated
Joe Cichy
Position Safety
Class1971
Personal information
Born: (1948-05-12) May 12, 1948 (age 75)
Fargo, North Dakota, U.S.
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight194 lb (88 kg)
Career history
College North Dakota State (1968–1970)
Bowl games
High school Shanley (Fargo, North Dakota)
Career highlights and awards
College Football Hall of Fame (1997)

Joseph John Cichy [1] (born May 12, 1948) [2] [lower-alpha 1] is an American attorney and former gridiron football player. He played college football primarily as a safety for the North Dakota State Bison. He is an inductee of the College Football Hall of Fame.

Contents

Biography

Cichy attended Shanley High School in his hometown of Fargo, North Dakota, where he was quarterback of the football team. [4] He then attended North Dakota State University (NDSU). [2] With the Bison football team, he was a backup quarterback in 1968 then a safety during the 1969 and 1970 seasons. [2] The decision to move Cichy from quarterback to defensive back was made by Bison head coach Ron Erhardt following the loss of multiple defensive players from the 1968 team. [5] The Bison were selected as small college national champions by the Associated Press for 1968 and 1969. [2] [lower-alpha 2]

Cichy had 53 unassisted tackles during the 1969 season, setting an NDSU record that was not matched for 34 seasons. [6] He was named to the College Division All-America first team as selected by the American Football Coaches Association for 1969, [7] and as selected by the Associated Press for 1970. [8] The Bison posted a record of 29–0–1 during his three seasons, and Cichy had completed his high-school career with a 25-game winning streak, resulting in a span of 55 games without a loss. [2] He served as team captain for the 1970 Bison. [6] In December 1970, Cichy was awarded a $1000 ($7,846 in 2023) post-graduate scholarship, awarded by the NCAA for "exceptional academic and athletic achievement." [9] He graduated from NDSU in 1971 with a major in history and a minor in German. [10]

Following his collegiate career, Cichy was unselected in the 1971 NFL draft, but was briefly with the Philadelphia Eagles during the offseason until being released in July 1971. [11] He then returned to his high school, where his father was head football coach, and taught in the physical education department. [12] In May 1973, he was hired by St. Mary's Central High School in Bismarck, North Dakota, to a similar role and to serve as head football coach. [12] He coached there until resigning in April 1978 in order to attend law school. [13]

By October 1981, Cichy had obtained a Juris Doctor degree from the University of North Dakota School of Law [14] and was working for the North Dakota Water Commission as an assistant attorney general. [15] He joined a private law firm in Bismarck in late 1985. [16] [17]

Cichy was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1997. [2] He was inducted to the athletic hall of fame at NDSU in 1981, [6] joining his father, Sid, a 1973 inductee. [18] Joe's brother Nick was also inducted in 1988. [19] Another brother, Steve, played for Notre Dame; [2] Steve's son Jack Cichy played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. [20] [21] Joe Cichy was inducted to the hall of fame associated with his high school in 2017. [22]

Cichy married Barbara Perry of Bismarck in June 1978. [1] The couple had three daughters. [23] [14]

Notes

  1. ↑ The Philadelphia Eagle's 1971 media guide listed Cichy's year of birth as 1949. [3]
  2. ↑ The Bison also finished atop the UPI small college football rankings in 1969; they were ranked second by UPI in 1968.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shanley High School</span> Private, coeducational school in Fargo, United States of America, North Dakota, United States

Shanley High School, is a Catholic high school located in Fargo, North Dakota and operated by the Diocese of Fargo as part of the John Paul II Catholic Schools Network. As of 2014, it served approximately 314 students. Academics are strongly oriented towards college preparatory with approximately 99% of the student body continuing to either a 2 or 4-year degree program. In addition to standard academics courses, student complete required religious education courses during each academic semester.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Dakota State Bison football</span> College Football team of North Dakota State University

The North Dakota State Bison football program represents North Dakota State University in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision level and competes in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. The Bison play in the 19,000-seat Fargodome located in Fargo. The Bison have won 17 national championships and 37 conference championships. They have won nine NCAA Division I AA FCS National Championships between 2011 and 2021. The Bison hold the record for most overall NCAA national championships and the record for the most consecutive championships with five titles between 2011 and 2015 for Division I FCS.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 North Dakota State Bison football team</span> American college football season

The 2012 North Dakota State Bison football team represented North Dakota State University in the 2012 NCAA Division I FCS football season. They were led by tenth-year head coach Craig Bohl and played their home games at the Fargodome in Fargo, North Dakota. North Dakota State entered the season as the defending NCAA Division I Football and Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) champions. In 2012, the Bison won their second straight MVFC title posting, a 7–1 conference record and 10–1 overall mark in the regular season. In the FCS playoffs they defeated South Dakota State, Wofford, Georgia Southern, and Sam Houston State to finish the season 14–1 and win their second consecutive national title.

The 1983 North Dakota State football team represented North Dakota State University during the 1983 NCAA Division II football season, and completed the 87th season of Bison football. The Bison played their home games at Dacotah Field in Fargo, North Dakota. The 1983 team came off a 12–1 record from the previous season. The 1983 team was led by coach Don Morton. The team finished the regular season with a 9–1 record and made the NCAA Division II playoffs. The Bison defeated the Central State Marauders, 41–21, in the National Championship Game en route to the program's first NCAA Division II Football Championship. The 1983 team was inducted with the Class of 2023 into the Bison Athletic Hall of Champions on September 29, 2023.

The 1985 North Dakota State football team represented North Dakota State University during the 1985 NCAA Division II football season, and completed the 89th season of Bison football. The Bison played their home games at Dacotah Field in Fargo, North Dakota. The 1985 team came off an 11–2 record from the previous season. The 1985 team was led by coach Earle Solomonson. The team finished the regular season with an 8–2–1 record and made the NCAA Division II playoffs. The Bison defeated the North Alabama Lions 35–7 in the National Championship Game en route to the program's second NCAA Division II Football Championship.

The 1988 North Dakota State football team represented North Dakota State University during the 1988 NCAA Division II football season, and completed the 92nd season of Bison football. The Bison played their home games at Dacotah Field in Fargo, North Dakota. The 1988 team came off a 6–4 record from the previous season. The team was led by coach Rocky Hager. The team finished the regular season with an undefeated 10–0 record and made the NCAA Division II playoffs. The Bison defeated the Portland State, 35–21, in the National Championship Game en route to the program's fourth NCAA Division II Football Championship.

The 1990 North Dakota State football team represented North Dakota State University during the 1990 NCAA Division II football season, and completed the 94th season of Bison football. The Bison played their home games at Dacotah Field in Fargo, North Dakota. The 1990 team came off an 8–3–1 record from the previous season. The team was led by coach Rocky Hager. The team finished the regular season with an undefeated 10–0 record and made the NCAA Division II playoffs. The Bison defeated IUP, 51–11, in the National Championship Game en route to the program's fifth NCAA Division II Football Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2004 North Dakota State Bison football team</span> American college football season

The 2004 North Dakota State Bison football team represented North Dakota State University in the 2004 NCAA Division I-AA football season. It was the program's first season competing at the NCAA Division I-AA level. The Bison were led by second-year head coach Craig Bohl and played their home games at the Fargodome in Fargo, North Dakota. They finished the season with an overall record of 8–3 and tied for third in the Great West Conference with a 2–3 mark. North Dakota State was ineligible for the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs per NCAA rules, during their first four seasons at the NCAA Division I-AA/FCS level.

The 1982 North Dakota State Bison football team was an American football team that represented North Dakota State University during the 1982 NCAA Division II football season as a member of the North Central Conference. In their fourth year under head coach Don Morton, the team compiled a 12–1 record, finished as NCC champion, and lost to UC Davis in the NCAA Division II Football Championship semifinals.

The 1989 North Dakota State Bison football team was an American football team that represented North Dakota State University during the 1989 NCAA Division II football season as a member of the North Central Conference. In their third year under head coach Rocky Hager, the team compiled a 8–3–1 record.

The 1991 North Dakota State Bison football team was an American football team that represented North Dakota State University during the 1991 NCAA Division II football season as a member of the North Central Conference. In their fifth year under head coach Rocky Hager, the team compiled a 7–3 record and finished as NCC champion.

The 1992 North Dakota State Bison football team was an American football team that represented North Dakota State University during the 1992 NCAA Division II football season as a member of the North Central Conference. In their sixth year under head coach Rocky Hager, the team compiled a 10–2 record and finished as NCC champion.

The 1994 North Dakota State Bison football team was an American football team that represented North Dakota State University during the 1994 NCAA Division II football season as a member of the North Central Conference. In their eighth year under head coach Rocky Hager, the team compiled a 9–3 record and finished as NCC co-champion.

The 1995 North Dakota State Bison football team was an American football team that represented North Dakota State University during the 1995 NCAA Division II football season as a member of the North Central Conference. In their ninth year under head coach Rocky Hager, the team compiled a 10–3 record.

The 1970 North Dakota State Bison football team was an American football team that represented North Dakota State University during the 1970 NCAA College Division football season as a member of the North Central Conference. In their fifth year under head coach Ron Erhardt, the team compiled a 9–0–1 record, finished as NCC champion, and defeated Montana in the Camellia Bowl.

The 1967 North Dakota State Bison football team was an American football team that represented North Dakota State University during the 1967 NCAA College Division football season as a member of the North Central Conference. In their second year under head coach Ron Erhardt, the team compiled a 9–1 record, finished as NCC champion, and lost in the Pecan Bowl to Texas–Arlington.

The 1966 North Dakota State Bison football team was an American football team that represented North Dakota State University during the 1966 NCAA College Division football season as a member of the North Central Conference. In their first year under head coach Ron Erhardt, the team compiled a 8–2 record and finished as NCC co-champion.

The 1964 North Dakota State Bison football team was an American football team that represented North Dakota State University during the 1964 NCAA College Division football season as a member of the North Central Conference. In their second year under head coach Darrell Mudra, the team compiled a 10–1 record, finished as NCC co-champion, and defeated Western State in the Mineral Water Bowl.

The 1952 North Dakota State Bison football team was an American football team that represented North Dakota State University during the 1952 college football season as a member of the North Central Conference. In their third year under head coach Mac Wenskunas, the team compiled a 5–4 record.

The 1958 North Dakota State Bison football team was an American football team that represented North Dakota State University during the 1958 NCAA College Division football season as a member of the North Central Conference. In their second year under head coach Bob Danielson, the team compiled a 3–6 record.

References

  1. 1 2 "Perry-Cichy". The Bismarck Tribune . June 23, 1978. p. 6. Retrieved April 29, 2024– via newspapers.com.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Joe Cichy". footballfoundation.org. College Football Hall of Fame . Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  3. ↑ "Rookie Profiles". The Philadelphia Eagles Yearbook & Media Guide. 1971. p. 59. Retrieved April 30, 2024– via Internet Archive.
  4. ↑ "Playback". The Bismarck Tribune . April 19, 1992. p. 3B. Retrieved April 29, 2024– via newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ Kolpack, Ed (December 24, 1969). "Newsmen Name Erhardt As N.D. Coach of the Year". The Bismarck Tribune . p. 20. Retrieved May 5, 2024– via newspapers.com.
  6. 1 2 3 "Bison Athletic Hall of Fame: Joe Cichy". gobison.com. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  7. ↑ "Boston Named To Kodak All-American Team". Morning Pioneer. Mandan, North Dakota. AP. December 19, 1969. p. 12. Retrieved May 5, 2024– via newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "A.P.'s Little All-American". The Morning News . Wilmington, Delaware. AP. December 10, 1970. p. 42. Retrieved May 5, 2024– via newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ "NCAA Honors 33 Athletes". Mitchell Daily Republic . Mitchell, South Dakota. AP. December 29, 1970. p. 8. Retrieved May 5, 2024– via newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ "Cichy Adds Scholarship Cash to Grid Stardom". The Bismarck Tribune . AP. January 2, 1971. p. 8. Retrieved May 5, 2024– via newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ "Philadelphia Eagles Waive Joe Cichy". Sioux City Journal . Sioux City, Iowa. July 18, 1971. p. D1. Retrieved April 29, 2024– via newspapers.com.
  12. 1 2 "Joe Cichy To Head St. Mary's Football Staff". The Bismarck Tribune . May 18, 1973. p. 12. Retrieved April 29, 2024– via newspapers.com.
  13. ↑ "Smrekar Gets Saints Head Football Job". The Bismarck Tribune . April 26, 1978. p. 34. Retrieved April 29, 2024– via newspapers.com.
  14. 1 2 Pursley, Scooter (August 10, 1997). "Cichy: All the credentials". The Bismarck Tribune . p. 5B. Retrieved April 29, 2024– via newspapers.com.
  15. ↑ Thomas, Steve (October 20, 1981). "Saints' Coaches Felt $ Pinch". The Bismarck Tribune . p. 15. Retrieved April 29, 2024– via newspapers.com.
  16. ↑ "Announcement". The Bismarck Tribune . November 25, 1985. p. 6B. Retrieved April 29, 2024– via newspapers.com.
  17. ↑ Knoll, Dan (April 30, 1989). "Cichy: Learn from all experiences". The Bismarck Tribune . p. 8B. Retrieved April 29, 2024– via newspapers.com.
  18. ↑ "Bison Athletic Hall of Fame: Sid Cichy". gobison.com. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  19. ↑ "Bison Athletic Hall of Fame: Nick Cichy". gobison.com. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  20. ↑ "Meet Jack Cichy, the former walk-on who keeps crushing the doubters". USAToday.com. March 30, 2018. Your dad, Steve Cichy, played at Notre Dame before playing professional football in Canada.
  21. ↑ "Jack Cichy". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  22. ↑ "Mike & Karen Hofer Deacon Award & Hall of Fame". jp2schools.org. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  23. ↑ Voskuil, Vicki (July 17, 1991). "Unquenchably curious Barb Cichy has a lot to give". The Bismarck Tribune . p. 1C. Retrieved April 29, 2024– via newspapers.com.
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