WVU Sports Hall of Fame

Inducted: 2003

Written by Shelly Poe

The late Dr. John Doyle, a native of Pennsboro, W.Va., excelled in football, basketball, baseball, and track and field at WVU from 1929-32, playing halfback in football, forward in basketball, and catcher in baseball, earning a tryout with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Besides lettering in all four sports, Doyle was voted captain of the football and basketball teams in his senior year, and helped WVU to some memorable victories. In football, those included a 9-6 upset of Oklahoma A & M (State) in 1929 on the road, and a 14-7 win at Georgetown and a 23-7 win over the Kansas Aggies here in 1930. A 19-0 upset of Penn State highlighted the 1931 season. Doyle scored the only touchdown against national power Fordham in a 20-7 loss at New York's Polo Grounds his senior season. In basketball, Doyle participated in significant victories over Pitt, Penn State, Georgetown, Temple, Duquesne and Navy.

After earning his bachelor's degree in 1932, Doyle went on to study at the Medical College of Virginia and completed requirements for an MD degree at the Chicago Medical School in 1940. In 1941, he entered the U.S. Army medical corps, and served on Utah Beach on D-Day. He earned seven battle stars, a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for his service. He spent 60 years as a physician in Ridgeway, Ill., where he was active in community events. In recognition of his medical service to his community, coupled with his athletic achievements, Sports Illustrated named Doyle in 1956 to its first Silver Anniversary All-America football team.

Dr. Doyle and his wife, the former Joyce Clark, had three children, Cynthia, Jack and Patti. Dr. Doyle died on December 15, 2002, at the age of 93.