Jerry LeTourneau was a star on the gridiron during the early 1950’s. LeTourneau was the total package during his time at Alpena Catholic Central, making would be tacklers miss with his power running and shifty fleet-footed ability on his way to a stellar athletic career for the Thundebolts.

“It’s a great honor to be inducted into this Hall of Fame. I didn’t think much about it at at first, but now that it’s happening, I truly feel honored,” LeTourneau said.

During his time as a Thunderbolt, LeTourneau left an impressive legacy, by being the first four year varsity letterman in the schools football history.

LeTourneau earned a total of six letters, four in football and the other two in basketball, but it was the impact he made on the field with a team that was dominant during his four years that propelled him to greater heights.

“My better highlights were on the football field. Basketball wasn’t my favorite, but I gave it a try for two years. Football was my favorite sport and the one that I was best at,” LeTourneau said.

LeTourneau played both sides of the ball. He was a star halfback on offense and the defensive leader on a unit that helped the team to an 8-1 record during his junior year. The lone loss that Catholic Central suffered during the 1955 season was the finale in which they fell 7-6.

Going into his senior season, LeTourneau and the Thunderbolts came in with high expectations and a lot of hype surrounding the program and neither disappointed.

Despite suffering an injury during his final year, LeTourneau played through the injury and put together a remarkable season.

LeTourneau scored 11 touchdowns while playing injured and finished second in the Michigan High School scoring champion race.

“I thought being the first ever four year letterman in the school’s history was a great achievement. It doesn’t happen very often no matter where you’re at. I had some good years, but it was possible because of the great effort from my offensive lineman and I give them a lot of credit,” LeTourneau said. “I still remember my first freshman game on the varsity team. We ran a statue of liberty play and I took the ball from the quarterback, but something went wrong and the play got blown up in the backfield, but it was a great learning experience for me. Playing as a freshman on a team with a bunch of seniors really helped me grow a lot and make me more mature.”

The Thundebolts finished the 1956 season with a 7-2 record and again lost their final game of the season by a score of 7-6.

LeTourneau’s four years at Catholic Central was nothing short of spectacular. He helped the Thunderbolts finish with impressive records each year while being a star on both sides of the ball. Defenders had trouble stopping LeTourneau as he ran his way to glory and now nothing can stop LeTourneau from getting into the Alpena Sports Hall of Fame.

“It’s a great honor. Gary Mischley had been after me for a long time about joining the club and I wasn’t real sure about it, but now I’m glad I joined,” LeTourneau said.