Joseph Anthony Savoldi Jr., (born Giuseppe Antonio Savoldi; March 5,
1908 â€" January 25, 1974) more commonly known by his nickname
"Jumping Joe" Savoldi, was an Italian-American professional wrestler,
football player, and Special Ops agent for the Office of Strategic
Services (OSS) during World War II.Savoldi was born two months
premature in Castano Primo (Italy). He spent his childhood in Castano
Primo and Bergamo (Milan, Italy) and was raised by his grandmother and
an aunt before finally joining his family in Three Oaks, Michigan at
age twelve. Giuseppe Savoldi anglicized his first name to "Joe" and
became an athlete in high school, excelling in football, basketball,
baseball, and track.After graduation from Three Oaks High, he enrolled
at the University of Notre Dame, where, beginning in 1928, he played
football for the Fighting Irish teams coached by Knute Rockne. His
first start for Notre Dame came during his sophomore year against
would-be national champion, Georgia Tech, after Rockne's first,
second, and third string fullbacks all fell to injuries. The following
week, coach Rockne moved Savoldi from running back to the line, and
Savoldi briefly quit the squad before being moved back to the running
back position.
1908 â€" January 25, 1974) more commonly known by his nickname
"Jumping Joe" Savoldi, was an Italian-American professional wrestler,
football player, and Special Ops agent for the Office of Strategic
Services (OSS) during World War II.Savoldi was born two months
premature in Castano Primo (Italy). He spent his childhood in Castano
Primo and Bergamo (Milan, Italy) and was raised by his grandmother and
an aunt before finally joining his family in Three Oaks, Michigan at
age twelve. Giuseppe Savoldi anglicized his first name to "Joe" and
became an athlete in high school, excelling in football, basketball,
baseball, and track.After graduation from Three Oaks High, he enrolled
at the University of Notre Dame, where, beginning in 1928, he played
football for the Fighting Irish teams coached by Knute Rockne. His
first start for Notre Dame came during his sophomore year against
would-be national champion, Georgia Tech, after Rockne's first,
second, and third string fullbacks all fell to injuries. The following
week, coach Rockne moved Savoldi from running back to the line, and
Savoldi briefly quit the squad before being moved back to the running
back position.
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