THE NEBRASKA 100

Carl Vinciquerra was one of Omaha's favorite sons in a legendary era.

"It was a very exciting time," said Omahan Mary Post, Vinciquerra's daughter. "When you see the movie "Cinderella Man," you realize he fought at the same time (as Jim Braddock) during the Depression. That was really something."

Vinciquerra played football at Tech High and Creighton University, but is better remembered at home for making the 1936 U.S. Olympic boxing team.

A natural heavyweight, he won a National Golden Gloves championship as a 175-pounder in Chicago that year. He and heavyweight Paul Hartnek flipped a coin before the Chicago tournament, one of the qualifying steps for the Olympics. Vinciquerra lost and had to cut about 15 pounds to get down to 175 -- the light heavyweight limit.

He got through Chicago, as well as 14 victories after that against regional and service academy champions, to make it to Berlin. He lost a decision in his first-round match.

"If it wasn't for (having to lose) the weight, he would have had a good chance," Post said.

As a pro in 1939, Vinciquerra was a win away from a shot at Joe Louis, Braddock's successor as heavyweight champ. But a bad thumb was costly in a loss to Johnny Paycheck.

He had a pro record of 42 wins (26 by knockout), four losses and five draws from 1937 through 1941.

-- John Rodino