The starting quarterback for the varsity football team from 1953-55, DeGraaf led the team to the Ivy title in 1953 and the co-championship in 1954. In 1955, he was selected first-team All-Ivy by both the league coaches and the Associated Press. He was also received honorable mention All-America and All-East honors by the AP. Over his three-year career, DeGraaf completed 103-of-276 passes for 1,413 yards and 17 TDs; rushed 131 times for 465 yards and eight touchdowns, and kicked 37-of-54 extra points. He was the recipient of the team’s MVP award as a senior. A baseball standout who played seven positions, he was named the baseball team’s MVP in 1955 and 1956. DeGraaf compiled a three-year career batting average of .294, and he was also an outstanding pitcher, with a career won-lost record of 16-8 and a career ERA of 2.33. He was signed as a pitcher by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1956.Â
