Bio

At just five-foot-seven and 172 pounds, George Hightdudis was undersized even by the relatively smaller college football standards of the 1950s.

But during a four-year career as linebacker and offensive guard, Hightdudis led the UW-Oshkosh football team in spirit and heart, thus, earning All-WIAC accolades and team most valuable player and team captain honors.

A graduate of Menasha High School, Hightdudis enrolled at UW-Oshkosh in 1954 following a tour in military service and immediately became a starter. After starting every game for UW-Oshkosh in 1955, the "Terrible Titan," as he was nicknamed, received All-WIAC first team recognition and became a defensive captain for UW-Oshkosh in 1956.

In 1957, Hightdudis' senior campaign, UW-Oshkosh posted a 4-3 record to mark the Titans' first winning season since going 5-0-1 in 1935. Hightdudis played a major role in the Titans' success that season and was rewarded with All-WIAC first team honors and team most valuable player recognition. Hightdudis played virtually 60 minutes of every game for UW-Oshkosh during his four-year career.

In addition to playing football, Hightdudis also was a member of the men's outdoor track & field team at UW-Oshkosh in 1955 and 1956.

Following graduation from UW-Oshkosh in 1958, Hightdudis went on to teach and coach football, track & field and wrestling at Marion High School. Besides his duties at Marion High School, especially that of coaching a first-year wrestling program, Hightdudis also pursued an advanced degree in counseling. 

After six years at Marion High School, Hightdudis' journeyed into administrative positions with CESA 13 and with school districts in Abbotsford and Oshkosh. In 1990, a lengthy career in education ended for Hightdudis when he retired as assistant principal at Oshkosh North High School, a position he had held since 1985.

Hightdudis, who resides in Oshkosh with his wife, Ruth, still remains active with UW-Oshkosh through his longtime involvement with the school's Alumni Association and National "O" Club, with the latter featuring participation for more than 30 years.