Aliquippa High School has produced many
outstanding football players, but one of the toughest competitors was
Nick Odlivak. Nick was a three sport star for the Quips, helping
lead the 1940-1941 basketball, the 1942 baseball team, and the 1942
football squad to play for WPIAL titles. He captained the West team
in the annual Beaver County All Star Game the summer following his
graduation, then entered military service during World War II. After
the war, Nick played football at the University of Kentucky under
the legendary Paul “Bear” Bryant. Nick played five different
positions during his four years with the Wildcats and made second
team All SEC at end as a senior. Kentucky went to the Orange Bowl
his senior year, and Nick set up both of his team’s scores with a
pass reception and a 57 yard rush on an end around. Nick then
entered coaching and spent five years at Louisville (KY) Manuel and
32 years at Niles High School in Illinois. He coached football for
37 years, baseball for 22, wrestling for five, and
swimming and track for three apiece.
Aliquippa High School has produced many
outstanding football players, but one of the toughest competitors was
Nick Odlivak. Nick was a three sport star for the Quips, helping
lead the 1940-1941 basketball, the 1942 baseball team, and the 1942
football squad to play for WPIAL titles. He captained the West team
in the annual Beaver County All Star Game the summer following his
graduation, then entered military service during World War II. After
the war, Nick played football at the University of Kentucky under
the legendary Paul “Bear” Bryant. Nick played five different
positions during his four years with the Wildcats and made second
team All SEC at end as a senior. Kentucky went to the Orange Bowl
his senior year, and Nick set up both of his team’s scores with a
pass reception and a 57 yard rush on an end around. Nick then
entered coaching and spent five years at Louisville (KY) Manuel and
32 years at Niles High School in Illinois. He coached football for
37 years, baseball for 22, wrestling for five, and
swimming and track for three apiece.