John Collier

Class of 1960

Earned nine letters 1957-1960

Football 3 letters

• 3 year starter at fullback and linebacker
• 1957, 1958 and 1959 Minneapolis City Conference Champions
• 1958 and 1959 All Minneapolis City Conference Team
• 1959 Minnesota All State Team
• 1959 Wigwam National High School All-America Team
• 1960 Most Valuable Player in North-South High School All-Star Football Game

Basketball 3 letters

• 2 year starter at center and forward

Baseball 3 letters

• 3 year starter at shortstop
• 1958, 1959 and 1960 Minneapolis City Conference Champions
• 1958, 1959 and 1960 Section Champions
• 1958 Minnesota State Tournament Runner-up
• 1959 and 1960 Minnesota State Champions
• Named to two Minnesota All-State Tournament Teams

John Collier is one of Washburn’s all-time great athletes. He played football, basketball and baseball at Washburn winning nine letters in the process.

John played on and was a key factor on teams that enjoyed remarkable success. He was a tenacious competitor who never played in a losing high school football game. His football and baseball teams won city and state championships and John won a number of individual awards for his considerable contributions. A few of the highlights:

Football: Washburn was the city co-champion in 1957; the city and Twin City champion in 1958; the city, Twin City, and state champion (by vote) in 1959. John played fullback on offense and linebacker on defense. John was named to the All-City team as a junior and senior, and was named to the All-State and Wigwam National High School All-American teams as a senior.

Basketball: Although his teams did not win any championships, John was a solid performer and a force to be reckoned with under the basket.

Baseball: Washburn was the city champion and state runner-up in 1958; the city champion and state champion in 1959; the city champion and state champion in 1960. John played shortstop, batted third and was named to the All-Tournament team in two of the three years.

John Collier graduated from Washburn in June 1960. In August of that year he was selected to play in Minnesota’s annual North-South High School All-Star Football Game. Going out with style, John was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.