(1916-2002)
Inducted into the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, 1990
Vinick was born in Hartford and graduated from Hartford Public High School in 1934. He played football at Trinity College for four years and was elected captain his senior year. Although he had never played before entering college, and only weighed 180 pounds, he was described as “a tiger on the field.” The Hartford Times wrote, “his line play was outstanding in every game the past season and was especially brilliant in the important contest with Connecticut State and Wesleyan.” For three years he was on the all-Connecticut college football team and received honorable mention on the all-New England team. He was also honored by selection to the all-New England Jewish football team.
He was also a letterman on the track team, competing in both the javelin and the shot-put events, and played basketball with the junior varsity team.
After graduating from Trinity, Vinick attended the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration and was employed by G. Fox & Company. He became a special agent for the FBI during World War II. He then worked in the bedding industry, with Standard Mattress Company in Hartford and later for the Sealy Mattress Company.
Photo courtesy Hartford Times