CWRU Athletics

Edward D. Familo left a lasting impression on the gridiron forthe Western Reserve football team in the early 1940s. A three-yearletterman (’40, ’42, ’42) and team captain in1942, Familo was the starting center for the Red Cats in a historic26-13 victory versus Arizona State University in the Sun Bowl. In1943, Familo would receive the Warrior’s Trophy and aftergraduation, the senior would join the military and enter World WarII. Before his death, Familo was one of the few survivors of thebattle of Iwo Jima, where he served as an intelligence officer withthe United States Marine Corps. A native of Detroit, Michigan,Familo was the student body President in 1943, President of theWestern Reserve University R Club, and President of the AdelbertCollege Alumni Association. After he returned from WWII, heattended law school at Western Reserve. During that same time, hewas an assistant coach at Hiram College under the legendary PaulBrown, who became a lifelong friend.