George Gipp, a native of Laurium, was born on February 18, 1895, attended Calumet High, and played baseball and basketball before starring with the local semi-pro Calumet Aristocrats in the thriving mining community. A six-foot, 180-pound gifted athlete and fierce competitor, he accepted a scholarship in 1916 at age 21 to play baseball at Notre Dame, where Coach Knute Rockne recruited him for football after seeing him punt to friends on campus. Gipp earned four varsity football letters and became Notre Dame's first All-American while playing quarterback, halfback, kicker, and kick return man. He led the Irish in both passing and rushing in each of his last three seasons, did not allow a pass completion in his territory during his career, earned Walter Camp's outstanding college football player award in 1920, and set Notre Dame's single-season record for rushing yards per attempt with 8.10 yards per carry in 1920. In his final game in November 1920, already ill with the disease that would take his life, he completed five of six passes, including a 55-yard touchdown pass, in a 33-7 victory over Northwestern. At about 7pm on December 14, 1920, he died of complications from pneumonia and strep throat. Knute Rockne attended him during his illness, and in 1928, before an overmatched game against Army, Rockne recounted Gipp's dying wish that the team should one day "win just one for the Gipper"; Notre Dame then defeated Army 12-6.