Stephen Patrick Sinko (September 14, 1909 – March 1, 1999) was an American football player and coach. He played professionally as a

guard Guard or guards may refer to: Professional occupations * Bodyguard, who protects an individual from personal assault * Crossing guard, who stops traffic so pedestrians can cross the street * Lifeguard, who rescues people from drowning * Prison ...

and tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for the Boston Redskins from 1934 to 1936 and the Los Angeles Bulldogs from 1937 to 1938. Sinko served as the head football coach at Boston University from 1957 to 1963, compiling a record of 23–36–3.

Background

Sinko was born and raised in

Chisholm, Minnesota Chisholm is a city in St. Louis County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 4,976 at the 2010 census. The city has been called "The Heart of the Iron Range" due to its location in the middle of the Mesabi Iron Range. History The city ...

, where he graduated from the local high school. He attended Duquesne University, where he played

college football College football (french: Football universitaire) refers to gridiron football played by teams of student athletes. It was through college football play that American football rules first gained popularity in the United States. Unlike most ...

for the Duquesne Dukes.

Professional career

Following college, Sinko played professionally for the Boston Redskins for three season, from 1934 to 1936, before moving to the Los Angeles Bulldogs for two seasons, 1937 to 1938. In 1939, he took an assistant coaching position under Aldo Donelli at Duquesne University. In 1941, the two served as head coach and line coach of the NFL's

Pittsburgh Steelers The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional American football team based in Pittsburgh. The Steelers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the American Football Conference (AFC) North division. Founded in , the Steel ...

. During World War II, Sinko served as an officer in the United States Navy. During his service, he was a coach for the

Iowa Pre-Flight Seahawks football Iowa () is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States, bordered by the Mississippi River to the east and the Missouri River and Big Sioux River to the west. It is bordered by six states: Wisconsin to the northeast, Illinois to the ...

team. In early 1946, Sinko was hired as an assistant coach for the

Miami Seahawks The Miami Seahawks were a professional American football team based in Miami, Florida. They played in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) in the league's inaugural season, 1946, before the team was relocated to Baltimore. They are notable ...

of the

All-America Football Conference The All-America Football Conference (AAFC) was a professional American football league that challenged the established National Football League (NFL) from 1946 to 1949. One of the NFL's most formidable challengers, the AAFC attracted many of the ...

AAFC). In June of that year, he was signed as head football coach at Duquesne University, only to serve in that capacity until December 1946, when he quit to once again become an assistant to Aldo Donelli, this time at Boston University. In 1949, Sinko was named as assistant to Clyde B. Smith at Indiana University. Sinko return to Boston University in 1951, once again assisting Donelli before succeeding him as head football coach in 1957. Sinko served as the head football coach at Boston University from 1957 to 1963, compiling a record of 23–36–3. He was succeeded as head coach by Warren Schmakel.

Honors and death

Sinko was inducted into the Duquesne Dukes Hall of Fame in 1988. He died on March 1, 1999, at

Cape Cod Hospital Cape Cod Hospital is a not-for-profit regional medical center located in Hyannis, Massachusetts. Founded in 1920, as of 2011 it is the largest hospital on Cape Cod. The administration is headed by CEO Michael K. Lauf. The hospital has 283 bed ...

Hyannis, Massachusetts Hyannis is the largest of the seven villages in the town of Barnstable, Massachusetts, in the United States. It is the commercial and transportation hub of Cape Cod and was designated an urban area at the 1990 census. Because of this, many refer t ...

Head coaching record

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Sinko, Steve 1909 births 1999 deaths American football guards American football tackles Boston Redskins players Boston University Terriers football coaches Duquesne Dukes football coaches Duquesne Dukes football players Indiana Hoosiers football coaches Iowa Pre-Flight Seahawks football coaches Los Angeles Bulldogs players United States Navy pilots of World War II People from Chisholm, Minnesota Sportspeople from St. Louis County, Minnesota Coaches of American football from Minnesota Players of American football from Minnesota Military personnel from Minnesota