Paul Kerrigan, this is not the first time your athletic prowess
has been celebrated by WPI. In early November 1956, on the occasion
of your final gridiron appearance, the college observed "Paul
Kerrigan Day." WPI beat Norwich that day to complete a 5-2 season.
On the gridiron, you earned three varsity letters as a running
back and defensive end. An excellent runner, you scored 80 points
during your career and led the team during your senior year season
with 31 points.
Your coaches called you a "game breaker," a player who could be
relied on to help clinch the big victories. That skill was in
evidence during Homecoming in 1954, when you fielded a punt late in
the fourth quarter against Coast Guard and returned it to score the
only points of the game. It was a big play that not only won the
game, but also helped cement the undefeated, untied season of 1954,
one of only three in college history.
"Kerrigan is our money player," Coach Bob Pritchard once said.
"When we need a long run, he comes through. When we need...a great
defensive play, he comes through. Paul is really our sparkplug."
As a junior, you pulled off the longest run of your career, a
94-yard scamper against Rensselaer. Plays like that earned you
recognition not only at WPI, but around the football-playing world.
You achievements earned you All-New England and Little All America
honors.
Paul Kerrigan, it is with great pleasure that we celebrate your
accomplishments on the playing field by inducting you in the WPI
Athletic Hall of Fame.
