Luke Witte was involved in one of the biggest brawls in BIG TEN history. The Golden Gophers led by baseball HOF Dave Winfield and Illinois native Jim Brewer were the main culprits in a very ugly scene. Witte took a vicious knee to the groin, and all you know what broke out.
Thanks. Coincidentally, I've been thinking of that brawl lately. It is, unfortunately, one of my earliest sports memories. January 25th will mark the 50th anniversary of it. I had just turned six at the time and had been into college football and basketball with my dad and older bother for a year or so. Luke Witte was my favorite player on that OSU team. I still remember the cover of the Columbus Citizen-Journal newspaper a couple days later, which contained photos of him and Mark Wager, who was also attacked. That was pretty disturbing to a little boy. The whole thing was ugly beyond belief. Dave Winfield did indeed play a major role in it for Minnesota and has steadfastly to acknowledge the event. Think the NCAA is feckless today? Minnesota got not even a slap on the wrist from Big Ten commish Wayne Duke.
The photo and article heading below are from Sports Illustrated Feb. 7, 1972.