Eastern Washington University Athletics

For nearly 40 years Michelson owned the school's career rushing record with 2,517 yards from 1947-50. He had 1,049 yards in 1950 when he led the nation in rushing and was selected to the United Press Little All-West Coast team. That rushing total stood as a school record for 15 years as he had one of just three 1,000-yard seasons in the first 86 years of Eastern Football (the Eagles have had 10 1,000-yard rushers in the last 12 seasons entering 2007). Michelson had three performances of at least 195 yards in 1950, and still owns three of the top 27 performances in school history (19 have come since 1997). He had 226 yards versus British Columbia that was a school record for 15 years and still ranks eighth all-time at Eastern. He also earned All-Evergreen Conference honors in 1950, as well as in 1949 when he had 992 yards. Playing under Abe Poffenroth, Eastern teams were 29-6 in that span and won or shared the first three Evergreen Conference titles (1948-49-50). His brother Kenny also played for Eastern, lettering in 1949. Michelson went on to a long career in education, including 30 years as a teacher and counselor at McLoughlin Junior High in Pasco, Wash. He and his wife, Hazel, were married for 58 years. Meriel passed away on July 18, 2007, at the age of 83. Less than a year after his death, Michelson was one of the 12 running backs on Eastern's "100 for 100" All-Time Football Team released in June 2008 by the EWU Athletic Department. The overall "100 for 100" squad consisted of 100 of the top players in school history to help commemorate the 100th year of football at Eastern. Players were honored on Eastern Athletics Hall of Fame Day on Sept. 27, 2008, in conjunction with EWU's Big Sky Conference football game with Idaho State.