Steffen, "Wally" (Walter P.)
Football
b. Oct. 9, 1886, Chicago, IL
d. March 9, 1937
After playing halfback and performing in the shadow of the great Walter Eckersall as a sophomore at the University of Chicago in 1906, Steffen was moved to quarterback once Eckersall graduated in 1907. The 5-foot-10, 158-pounder was named to Walter Camp's All-American first team in his senior year after having been on the second team as a junior.
A fine all-around player, Steffen was particularly dangerous as a breakaway runner. He had touchdown runs of 100 yards against Wisconsin and 75 yards against Minnesota in 1908. Steffen was also a good passer who often used the pass-run option that coach Amos Alonzo Stagg had devised for Eckersall.
"He's shifty, an artful dodger," Stagg said of Steffen, "and a keen, accurate passer. . . . He is a good punter, drop-kicker, a smart play-maker, and an inspiring team leader." Steffen scored 156 points in three seasons as a starter and Chicago had a 13-2-1 record during that time.
After assisting Stagg at Chicago for several years, Steffen became head coach at Carnegie Tech from 1914 through 1932, compiling an 88-53-9 record.