Champion passes
Cornell Champion, a receiver/running back for UCLA in the mid 1960s, died Monday. Here is the release from UCLA:
Cornell Champion, who earned two letters as a running back/wide receiver on the UCLA football team, passed away Monday night at his home in Windsor, CT. He was 64 years old on January 28.
According to Phyllis Champion, his wife for the past 19 years, he passed peacefully after battling cancer since last April. Several of his former teammates, including Terry Donahue and Gary Beban, as well as other UCLA alumni student-athletes, such as Mike Warren, had been in touch with Champion in the past few weeks as his health deteriorated.
As a sophomore in 1964, he played in seven games, starting four. He rushed for 222 yards and two touchdowns and made seven receptions for 76 yards.
Champion missed the 1965 season with a broken leg and returned in 1966. He started nine games for the 9-1 Bruins. He made eight receptions for 119 yards and added 64 yards on the ground. In the season-finale against USC at the Coliseum, his 21-yard run in the fourth quarter gave the Bruins a 14-7 win.
Champion is survived by his wife, Phyllis, and his two daughters from a previous marriage, Kii and Kimberly.
Champions made here?
I will always remember Cornell for that run in 1966. I believe we had Norman Dow at QB that day. Rest in peace. You will live on in my memory.
I worked w/Mr. Champion at Bulkeley HS. He was so proud of the "Good ole days". He showed the students and staff his scrapbook and shared some of his memories and also the famous and non famous athletes who also went to UCLA. You will be missed!!! Ms. Smith