John Arbeznik

John Arbeznik
Date of birth: June 13, 1957
Place of birth: University Heights, Ohio
Career information
Position(s): Guard
College: Michigan
Organizations

John C. Arbeznik (born June 13, 1957) is a former American football player. He played college football for the University of Michigan from 1976 to 1979 and was a first-team All-Big Ten Conference offensive guard in both 1978 and 1979.

University of Michigan

A native of University Heights, Ohio, Arbeznik attended Saint Ignatius High School in Cleveland before enrolling at the University of Michigan in 1975.[1][2] He played college football as an offensive guard for Bo Schembechler's Michigan Wolverines football teams from 1976 to 1979.[2] At six feet, three inches, and 240 pounds,[1] Arbeznik won a spot in the starting lineup in 1977, but missed most of the season after sustaining a knee injury.[3] He returned the following year and started nine games at left guard for the 1978 Michigan Wolverines football team that compiled a 10-2 record and was ranked No. 5 in the final AP Poll.[4] He was the offensive captain,[5] and a 12-game starter at left guard, for the 1979 Michigan Wolverines football team that compiled an 8-4 record.[6] He was selected as a first-team All-Big Ten Conference offensive guard in both 1978 and 1979.[6][7]

Professional football and broadcast career

Arbeznik was signed as a free agent by the New Orleans Saints in 1980 and cut at the end of August 1980.[8][9] He was then signed by the New York Jets in February 1981.[8]

In the fall of 1981, he became an analyst on broadcasts of Michigan football games on WTOD radio in Toledo, Ohio, while also working in a management training program for Procter & Gamble.[10]

He was inducted into the Saint Ignatius High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997.[11]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Larry Paladino (October 4, 1978). "Arbeznik Can't Figure It Out". The Argus-Press (AP story). p. 18.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Michigan Football Roster Database". University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  3. Geoff Larcom (September 12, 1979). "King of the trenches set for Irish invasion". The Michigan Daily. p. 8.
  4. "1978 Football Team". University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  5. "Simpkins, Arbeznik UM Co-Captain". The Blade, Toledo, Ohio (AP story). September 5, 1979. p. 27.
  6. 6.0 6.1 "1979 Football Team". University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  7. "Michigan, Michigan State Dominate All-Big Ten Team". The Hour, Norwalk, Connecticut. November 29, 1978. p. 27.
  8. 8.0 8.1 "Jets sign Arbenik". The Michigan Daily. February 12, 1981. p. 10.
  9. "Transactions". Southeast Missourian (AP story). October 20, 1980. p. 13.
  10. "Arbeznik now hits in radio booth". The Michigan Daily. October 8, 1981. p. 8.
  11. "Athletic Hall of Fame and Awards". Saint Ignatius High School. Retrieved March 12, 2015.