Former Illini football star Brosky dies

Al Brosky, a College Football Hall of Fame member who starred at Illinois, passed away on Sunday at the age of 82.

Brosky played three seasons with the Fighting Illini from 1950-52, breaking NCAA records for career interceptions with 29, interceptions in consecutive games (15) and interceptions per game (1.1) during his career.

Brosky's wake will be from 3-9 p.m. Wednesday at the Williams-Kampp Funeral Home, 430 E. Roosevelt Road in Wheaton. A funeral mass will take place at 10 a.m. Thursdayat St. Daniel the Prophet Catholic Church at 101 West Loop Road, Wheaton. He was a resident of Naperville.

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Brosky played one season of professional football with the Chicago Cardinals in 1954, and was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1998.

Brosky's mark of 15 consecutive interceptions spanned parts of all three seasons he played for the Illini and included a 16th game with an interception, the 1952 Rose Bowl. During Brosky's tenure, the Illini accumulated a mark of 20-7-1, earned the 1951 Big Ten title with an undefeated 9-0-1 record and a 40-7 victory over Stanford in the 1952 Rose Bowl. That 1951 team also was recognized as national champions by the Boand System.

Including the Rose Bowl game, Brosky notched 30 interceptions in 28 games and also served as an outstanding punt returner. He also helped the Illini to a 4-2 mark and a No. 11 finish in the UPI poll in 1950.