Dan Vollmer possessed great upper body strength, quick feet, and the ‘knack’ for anticipating. He used his upper body strength and quick feet as a three-year member of the varsity wrestling team where he grappled in one of the most competitive weight classes of the Suburban Conference with great success. However, Vollmer was made to play football and was a key component of Tosa East’s 1971 Suburban Conference championship team. A linebacker on defense, Vollmer was as hard a hitter as there was. A fierce and sure tackler, Vollmers’s instincts and ability to shed blocks allowed him to be one of the leading tacklers in the Suburban Conference. Graduating with the 2nd most career interceptions in school history, as a linebacker, Vollmer spearheaded a pass defense that set the school record for interceptions in a season in 1971. He was a key reason for the defense setting a school record for least yards allowed in a season. As a two-year starter at fullback, Vollmer’s punishing style averaged 5.5 yards per carry for his career. He set school records for most career yards, most yards in a season, and his 202 yards set the school record for a single game. His 4 touchdowns in a single game was a school record and he graduated as the career scoring leader. Dan was a three-time All-Conference selection, a 3rd team All State selection and was a two-time MVP of the team. Vollmer accepted a football scholarship to play for the University of Minnesota Gophers.
