Hall of Fame
Chuck Burnheimer of Dillsburg, Class of 1954, was a standout football player for Shippensburg from 1950 to 1953. He was co-captain of the Red Raiders’ undefeated team his senior year.
Burnheimer was a lineman, playing tackle on both offense and defense. During his four years with the Red Raiders the football team enjoyed some of its most successful seasons. The team was 7-1-1 in 1950, 5-3 in 1951, 7-0 in 1952 and 8-0 in 1953. The 1953 team was the first college football team to ever lead the nation in rushing defense, passing defense and total defense during the same season. That feat was not equaled until 1986 by Oklahoma.
Burnheimer played a key role in what would eventually become a 20 game winning streak, which is the longest in the history of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). That streak began with victories in the final two games of his sophomore year and then continued with 15 more wins during his junior and senior years. The streak did not end until the season after his graduation in 1954.
Following the 1952 season Burnheimer was named second team All-PSAC. In the 1950s the All-Conference team was not split into Eastern and Western Divisions and players from all 14 teams were considered for the honor. In 1953 he was second team All-Conference again and he was one of only three Shippensburg players to earn All-Pennsylvania honorable mention recognition that year. The All-Pennsylvania team consisted mainly of major college players and it was difficult for players from smaller schools to gain those accolades.
Following graduation Burnheimer was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marines. Following a stint as a rifle and machine gun platoon leader and company executive officer in the First Marine Division in Camp Pendleton, California, Burnheimer began his teaching career with the Cumberland Valley School District in 1956. He accepted a position in the Red Land School District in 1962, which later became the West Shore School District. He retired in 1993 after 37 years as an elementary classroom teacher.
Burnheimer, a native of Altoona, played high school football at Altoona for two years before enrolling at Shippensburg after his graduation.
