Hall of Fame
Pete Grathwohl graduated from Hickman High School in Columbia, Mo. in 1975 after playing a key role on the Missouri 4-A state championship team his senior season as a tight end and defensive end. New Bulldog head coach Ron Taylor decided his talented freshman would focus his energies on the defensive side of the ball. Grathwohl would proceed to enjoy a fine freshman campaign, in fact his finest season statistically as a Bulldog. He led the team with in sacks with seven and fumble recoveries with six. Grathwohl also finished second on the squad in tackles with 46 solos and 39 assists. For his efforts he received second-team all-Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association honors following his first campaign. Grathwohl's haunting of opposing offenses would earn him first-team all-MIAA accolades in each of his next three seasons at Truman. As a sophomore he again sacked the quarterback seven times, as well as blocked two punts and recovered two fumbles. Grathwohl made 17 solo tackles and provided 60 helpers as the Bulldogs romped to a share of the 1976 MIAA conference championship. During his junior season Grathwohl enjoyed the finest game of his career, a four-sack performance against Central Missouri State. Grathwohl produced another fine season overall, making 37 solo stops and 28 assists. He also dropped the quarterback seven times and made two interceptions, returning one for a touchdown. Grathwohl's teammates honored him prior to his senior season by voting him a team captain, a well-deserved title considering that Grathwohl voluntarily moved from defensive end to linebacker to better suit the team's needs. Grathwohl was in the midst of a fine senior campaign when ligament damage sidelined him with a month of play still remaining. Despite the missed action, Grathwohl was still named as a member of the all-MIAA first-team defense. He completed his Bulldog career with 111 solo tackles, 129 assists, 22 sacks, nine fumble recoveries and three interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown.
