Tucson High School football player Fred Batiste, ca 1944. Photo courtesy of Tucson High School

 Photo courtesy of Tucson High School

Arizona’s 1943 player of the year, brother of American hurdling champion Joe Batiste, was also voted the state’s top track and field athlete of 1943-44. The Star reported that gate receipts for THS’s 1943 undefeated football season were $13,962 – more than double the previous season – because townspeople wanted to see Batiste play.

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Contact sports columnist Greg Hansen at 520-573-4362 or ghansen@tucson.com. On Twitter: @ghansen711