Grinnell College Athletics

Abe H. Rosenbloom ’34 is joining the ranks of the Grinnell College Hall of Fame as one of the premier athletes and alumni in the school’s history. After earning a scholarship to attend Grinnell, Rosenbloom became one of the most feared and scrappy football linemen in the conference, all while standing 5 feet 6 inches and weighing less than 170 pounds. Known for making his far larger gridiron opponents frustrated with his work ethic and incredible use of his smaller stature, Rosenbloom made a name for himself throughout the league. He ended being named to the honor squad in the conference twice and played nearly every minute of his final three years on the team. A stalwart for the Grinnell College Pioneers as a player, his commitment to the squad continued as an alumnus. After graduating with an economics degree, he worked his way from salesman to president of Behr Machinery Corp. Always connected with the football program and College at large, Rosenbloom’s contributions culminated with having the current football stadium dedicated to him. Rosenbloom Field is a premier venue, seating more than 1,500 fans and creating a passionate atmosphere in its natural bowl structure. Throughout his life, Rosenbloom never disconnected from Grinnell. He established a scholarship in his and his wife Ginny’s name and often returned to the school for alumni events. As one former teammate described his commitment, “Abe gave us a piece of his heart — and we won as a program,” and this is a sentiment shared by everyone who had the pleasure to know him. His commitment to his Pioneer program and community rivals those of any other in the College’s history and stands as a shining example of the importance of attitude and ingenuity in all aspects of life.