(Player Spotlight) - Eugene van Eikenhorst #75 - Trencher - OL, DT, and Specialty Teams. *Ironman Player

Eugene was a junior on the 1984 team. He was a trencher and played on either side of the line. He lined up against the starting offensive line in practice, and was a very worthy challenge for us. Eugene was a hard-nosed tough kid who fit perfectly in the trenches. He took it to the bigger opponents he faced and never gave an inch. He was a rock. Eugene was very durable, and if you hurt him he would come back at your harder the next play. I liked Eugene back in those days and so did everyone. Just a great guy to be around. Eugene would battle anyone on the gridiron. It was guys like Eugene and Derrick Davis who made us champions because they challenged us in practice and were tough opponents every play. Practice makes champions and Eugene made sure we did not slack during ours. He was a gutsy and gritty trencher who could take it to you all day long. Opposing teams that tested Eugene quickly learned he was going to take it to them. I am glad he was a member of our close-knit trench crew. Thanks for the memories, Eugene. You took names.