A two-sport standout for Clarkson College in the early 1940s, Henry "Hank" Przybylowski starred in the backfield for the Golden Knights’ football team in the fall and was impressive at the plate and in the outfield for the Tech baseball team in the spring.
After an outstanding rookie campaign in 1940 on Clarkson’s undefeated and untied "Frosh" football team, Przybylowski played a large role in Tech’s most successful seasons in years during the fall of 1941. Mainstays of the team were the sophomore and seniors. In the backfield, the Irvington, NJ native made a solid contribution in his first varsity campaign with his running and pass catching as the Knights posted a 5-1-1 record to end up near the top of the small college elevens.
Clarkson, guided by head coach Pete Dwyer (HOF’ 95), posted overwhelming victories over Ithaca (20-0), City College (20-0) of New York, Cortland (23-0), Hartwick (13-0) and St. Lawrence (26-0). The Techers lone loss was to national powerhouse Syracuse University at Archibold Stadium.
As a junior in 1942, Przybylowski was a bright spot in Clarkson’s rebuilding season. The elusive back starred in the Green and Gold’s first win of the year, a 28-0 victory over a team from Watertown. Przybylowski brought the crowd to its feet at Snell Field in the first quarter with a 43-year return of a punt to open the scoring. He also took care of the final two scores with a 12-yard end run and then a touchdown pass. Przybylowski’s passing performance played a key role in the Knights’ second win of the year, a 14-12 triumph over the visiting Brooklyn College gridders.
World War II had its effect on Clarkson College and intercollegiate athletics, wiping out the 1943 senior season for Przybylowski and his teammates.
Przybylowski was equally impressive for head coach Hank Hodge’s (HOF ’92) baseball team. In 1942, during his first year of varsity competition on the diamond, he continued to shine for Clarkson athletics as the leading hitter on the baseball team with a .366 average.
In the spring of 1943, wartime difficulties doomed college baseball so, in lieu of college competition, town teams and amateur clubs were scheduled for Sunday games at Snell Field. Przybylowski was once again a leading hitter as the Techers combined for a .292 batting average en route to an 8-1 record.
A well-rounded student on the Clarkson campus, the mechanical engineering major, was a member of Phalanx, served as president of Clarkson’s Varsity "C" Club, was Senior Class President and was the student representative on Clarkson’s Athletic Board of Control.
Przybylowski’s son, Henry Jr. ’65, followed in his father’s footsteps and played baseball at Clarkson under legendary coaches Hodge and Jack Phillips (HOF ’92).
Henry Przybylowski accepts his Athletic Hall of Fame plaque from Clarkson AD Sean T. Frazier
