Campus Life this month features a memoir of Joe from his friends at the high school where he taught. It’s from The Journal of December 1993, by Jay Jacobs. (From the University of Notre Dame Archives)

There is a plaque In the Henderson County High School cafeteria of a man whose life was nothing short of amazing. The last line reads: Teacher. Henderson County 1962-1973.

What is so special about this man that someone would honor him with a bronze plaque?

Special may be an understatement when the name Joe Savoldi Is brought up. He lived and died before our time. But you will know few teachers who will ever have a life like that of "Jumpin" Joe Savoldi.

Savoldi was born In Italy and moved to the U.S. in Three Oaks, Michigan, at the age of 12. He was an all-sports star at Three Oaks High School and then enrolled at the University of Notre Dame. Jumpin' Joe played on one of the greatest and most famous college football teams ever assembled. As a Sophomore he was a running back on the “Win one for the Gipper” team when Knute Rockne gave his legendary pep talk about winning the 1928 game against Army for George Gipp, a deceased Notre Dame player. As a junior he played on the undefeated 1929 national champion team and as a senior on the 1930 squad, Knute Rockne's last and probably best team which repeated as national champs. As a senior, he was also asked to leave Notre Dame after an investigation discovered that he had been married for a year which was against school policy. This incident didn't stop Savoldi as he went on to make second team All American after playing only six games that season.

Throughout Savoldi's career at Notre Dame, he was noted as one of the top fullbacks in college football.

After leaving school in 1930, Savoldi went on to play for the Chicago Bears at halfback under coach George Halas. Football was a great success for Joe Savoldi, but his greatest successes were yet to come.

"Jumpin" Joe decided to turn to professional wrestling in 1931. Professional wrestling was much different in the 1930s though. This was the real thing. They didn't slap or pretend to pounce on their opponent; they fought for blood until their opponent was out for the count. Savoldi found a hidden talent in wrestling as he soon became the World Heavyweight Wrestling Champ. He held the title from 1931-1935. He was 5-11, 220 pounds with an 18 ½ -inch neck and a chest that went along with It. He was the real thing.

World War II gave Savoldi yet another career. He joined the Office of Strategic Services, the forerunner of the CIA. Jump In' Joe, the All- American and world champion wrestler, became a spy. He was appointed to this position because he spoke fluent Italian and knew all the dialects. He was sent to Italy six months before the Invasion of Italy, and he remained there after the German-Italian split to greet the landing of the American Forces.

After the war, "Jumpin" Joe Savoldi returned to his wrestling career and promoted wrestling. In the 1950s he moved to South Bend, Indiana, and became an insurance agent. Persuaded by a friend, he went back to school and graduated with a bachelor's degree from Evansville College in 1962. That same year, Savoldi moved to Henderson to begin teaching science at the high school. Joe loved his kids but was a tough taskmaster, and he is remembered fondly by those who knew him.

Oddly enough, most of Joe's students knew little of his exciting life. They knew him simply as Mr. Savoldi. Joe didn't speak much of his fame or fortune. In 1973 he died of a sudden heart attack.

Joe Savoldi was a positive inspiration to many who knew him. He was successful and hard working. Although he left us at the early age of 65, he truly lived all 65 years. “Who was 'Jumpin' Joe Savoldi?" He was a famous man who was an All-American on one of the greatest college football teams ever assembled, a world champion wrestler, a spy dropped behind enemy lines, a father, a man who accomplished much in a variety of fields, but perhaps the most inspirational thing he ever did was become a teacher...at our school