Tag: Van Leer

1956 Sugar Bowl

Post author By Van Leer Archives
Post date February 21, 2020
Categories In Sugar Bowl

Van Leer was already catching heat for pushing through a vote to allow women into Georgia Tech. The vote passed by a split decision. During the lead up to the 1956 Sugar Bowl, Van Leer received death threats, media and political pressure to cancel this game… Summary: Segregationists tried to keep Pitt fullback/linebacker Bobby Grier […]

The Colonel

Post author By Van Leer Archives
Post date January 21, 2020
Categories In Army

Van Leer’s long military career started with his appointment as second Lieutenant Engineer in the for the U.S. Army in July 1917. He was promoted after World War I and became a Captain. Van Leer was awarded the French Croix de Guerre. He later became a colonel before WW2. Blake Ragsdale Van Leer (August 16, 1893 – January 23, 1956) […]