Hall of Fame
Cliff LaRose ‘54 played multiple sports at Catholic Central (CC). He played football all four years, a year of basketball, and three years of boxing.
The 1952 and 1953 CC football teams relied on a punishing running game. Cliff at right tackle teamed with Don Chomicz ‘54, provided running room for Bob Handloser ‘54. The 1953 CC team was 7-1 outscoring opponents 310 to 63 and averaging 39 points per game. Notable victories that year were Hamtramck (40-0), Boystown (21-0), Aquinas New York (46-24), Muskegon CC (27-6), and Toledo Central Catholic (60-7). Cliff was recognized for his skill in the 1953 season by being chosen “All-City” and “All-State.”
Cliff LaRose also excelled in boxing. In 1953 he won the CYO State Light Heavyweight Championship. In 1954 he was a Finalist in the CYO State competition. Cliff pursued his studies and played football at Michigan State University (MSU), earning a Mathematics and Physical Science degree. He joined Handloser ‘54 and Chomicz ‘54 and played all four years for the Spartans. Cliff was a starter in the 1956, 1957, and 1958 seasons. Wearing number 58, he played on the 1956 Duffy Daugherty’s National Championship team, the 1955 MSU’s Rose Bowl Championship Team, and in 1958 was chosen to play in the North-South Shrine game.
In his senior year, Cliff demonstrated outstanding character and strong leadership. For the season’s final game and senior day, he asked the coaches to give his starting position to a fellow senior who was a scout team player. The coaches gave Cliff’s friend from Chicago Cliff’s starting position which gave the young man the only playing time he had during his entire career. LaRose got into action later as the Spartans lifted themselves to a 26-7 victory over Kansas.
Cliff LaRose capped his college career off at the MSU Annual Spartan Football Bust when he was awarded the Danziger trophy which goes to MSU’s most outstanding Detroit-area player. After college, Cliff continued his athletic endeavors with running and long-distance biking. He completed seven marathons and in the year 2000, he marked the new century by completing a 2,000-mile multi-state bike ride.
As Account Executive Cliff’s career encompassed research, development, design, and sales of consumer packaging. One of the more famous campaigns he directed was the packaging for “Wheaties, Breakfast of Champions.”
Sadly, in 2011 Cliff passed away while on a biking vacation with Barbara in France. Cliff and his lovely wife, Barbara, had been married for 52 years. Their family includes three children, Mary Kae, Lawrence, and Robert.
We recognize his remarkable achievement and character and the honor he has brought to himself, his family, and CC by inducting Clifford LaRose into the Catholic Central Hall of Fame.
