Carl Giordana - Biography

Biography

Giordana was born and raised in Kaukauna, Wisconsin where he attended Kaukauna High School and was most notably remembered for playing American football and basketball for the Galloping Ghosts.

He attended Lawrence University where he gained substantial recognition for being an outstanding athlete. He helped lead the Vikings football team to two Midwest Conference Championships attaining two All-Midwest Conference Championship honors along the way. He played a vital role in helping the Vikings win two conference titles in 1942 and 1946. His athletic career came to an early end after he injured his knee in practice during the preseason of 1947. Giordana also excelled as a guard in basketball and assisted the Vikings in the 1942-1943 season to become Conference champions.

Giordana left Lawrence University and joined the Army Air Corps during the Second World War, returning to play football at Lawrence in 1946.

Upon graduation, Giordana was employed by Thilmany Paper in Kaukauna for 40 years as supervisor of production planning.

Giordana spent a majority of his time volunteering at Kaukauna's Holy Cross elementary school, scheduling gym activities, and even playing a large role in setting up a very successful annual Holy Cross Men's Basketball Tournament. In 1994, Holy Cross honored Giordana for his 40 years of dedication to the school by renaming the gym the Carl F. Giordana gymnasium. In addition to his contributions at Holy Cross, Giordana was a referee and umpire with the Kaukauna Recreation Department for over 55 years.

Giordana was inducted into the Lawrence Intercollegiate Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000.

He is also in the Athletic Hall of Fame at Kaukauna High School.