Members
Inductee
KODBA, JOSEPH S.
KODBA, JOSEPH S.
Born on February 27, 1922
Yugoslavia
September 7, 2005.
Inducted On
August 11, 1990
Location Inducted
South Bend, IN
Region Number
2
Sb Washington
Coach
South Bend Washington
1941
3-year starter at center; coached by Bernie Witucki; won All-Eastern Division North Conference, All-Twin City, and All-State honors.
Butler University 2 years; Purdue University 1947; Purdue University MS 1949
1949
Was All-State 1942 as a center at Butler; served in military 1943-1944, then enrolled at Purdue; played center, sharing MVP honors with a teammate 1945; had second most minutes played 1945; selected by one Indianapolis newspaper to its All-State Team 1945; captain for PU-IU game 1946; played in Blue-Gray game in Montgomery, AL, and College All-Star game in 1947 against Chicago Bears, one of the few games ever won by the collegians (16-0).
Served in pupil personnel department of South Bend Community School Corporation for 14 years; total of 35 years in education, retiring in 1984.
Wife, Jeanne; children, Joe, Jr. and Leslie.
Professional Athletic Background: Signed with Buffalo Bills in 1947 and traded to Baltimore Colts in 1948; gave up pro football after a knee operation; later was head line coach for Michiana Hawks Professional Football Team in Buchanan, MI, 1970.
Coaching Experience: Head football coach at Fort Wayne North Side HS 1948; backfield coach at Niagra University, NY, 1949-1950; assistant line coach at University of Buffalo, NY, 1951; head football coach at Newberry, MI, HS 1952; assistant football coach at South Bend Riley HS 1953-1956; assistant football coach at South Bend Central HS 1967-1970.
Coaching Experience: Head football coach at Fort Wayne North Side HS 1948; backfield coach at Niagra University, NY, 1949-1950; assistant line coach at University of Buffalo, NY, 1951; head football coach at Newberry, MI, HS 1952; assistant football coach at South Bend Riley HS 1953-1956; assistant football coach at South Bend Central HS 1967-1970.
