5/23/2016 football Edit

No. 9: Andy Bershak

A great two-way player for the Tar Heels in the 1930s, Bershak's jersey No. 59 was retired by UNC for a reason.

Andrew Jones • TarHeelIllustrated

Publisher

Andrew Jones has covered sports for 26 years, including all major college & professional sports for daily newspapers & national sites. He's done radio and TV & is entering his seventh year at THI.

No. 9

Name: Andy Bershak

Position: End

Jersey #: 59

Years: 1935-37

Honors: Consensus All-America in 1937; 2nd-team All-America in 1936; His No. 59 has been retired by UNC.

Notable Stats: NA

In Closing: A two-way starter at end, Bershak helped lead Carolina to a 23-4-1 record over a three-year span. UNC shut out 13 opponents in that span and allowed more than 14 points in a game just three times with totals of 25, 21 and 27 points. Conversely, Carolina scored 20 or more points 12 times, including reaching the 50-point mark three times. Led Carolina in receiving in 1937. Had 2 TD receptions in a 20-0 win at N.C. State in 1937. In UNC’s first game at Yankee Stadium, Bershak forced and recovered 2 fumbles in a 14-13 win over NYU.

He was described as “the greatest end in the history of North Carolina” during his senior season. Described by a writer about two decades after he played as a “defensive terror.” Bershak was selected for the prestigious Order of the Golden Fleece and was the president of the Carolina Athletic Association. But he fell ill in the spring of his senior year and never played in the NFL. After helping as an assistant coach for the football team for a few years, Bershak later determined to have Bright’s Disease, which took his life in 1943.

Prior Ranked Heels

30 - Natrone Means

29 - Jack Merritt

28 - Landon Turner

27 - Chris Hanburger

26 - Jeff Saturday

25 - Bob Lacey

24 - Bracey Walker

23 - Ethan Horton

22 - Brian Blados

21 - Leon Johnson

20 - George Barclay