Chuck Geran, Class of 1948

As recorded in the 1948 edition of the Old Gold and Blue, Chuck Geran ’48 was voted “Best Athlete” by his classmates during his senior year for his remarkable accomplishments as a wrestler and as a football player. Over the course of his illustrious athletic career at Peddie, Geran not only served Peddie honorably, but he served our country as well, enlisting in the Army Air Service Command in February of 1946 during what would have been his senior year. In the fall of 1947, Geran returned to Peddie to complete his senior year and resume his impressive athletic contributions.

Referred to by those who knew him and played with him as being “built like a tank,” Geran compiled an impressive athletic resume. His four-season wrestling record shows 27 wins against only two defeats. During his senior year, he pinned eleven of his opponents losing only one of his matches during the ’47-’48 season. Geran’s dedication and commitment to the sport of wrestling and his teammates was evidenced by his serving as captain of the ’44-’45 wrestling team and the ’47-’48 wrestling team. Articles written about Geran during his Peddie playing days, refer to his achievements as “outstanding,” “brilliant” and “exceptional.” Additionally, Geran displayed his talents on the gridiron, rambling as a back for the Peddie varsity football teams since his sophomore year. Of particular note was a Blair game performance, when on three consecutive plays he carried the ball from the Peddie 10-yard line to the Blair end zone for a key touchdown in the decisive 26-6 Peddie victory that year.

As we continue the tradition of recognizing those who have gone before us and who have paved a path of remarkable and notable achievement during their Peddie careers, it is quite fitting that we induct Chuck Geran into the Peddie Sports Hall of Fame in the Class of 2008.