Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 1970
Piccolo was a modestly recruited running back from Central Catholic High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He toiled in relative obscurity as a sophomore and junior at Wake Forest (freshmen were not eligible for varsity) on Deacon teams that managed only one victory in 20 contests.
The one win was against South Carolina in 1963 as Piccolo was the standout performer. He rushed for 140 yards and scored the game winning touchdown and kicked the winning extra point in the closing moments for the Deacs to take a 20-19 lead.
Piccolo became a focal point of the offense under new coach Bill Tate in 1964. The 5-foot-11, 198-pounder would carry the ball 252 times for 1,044 yards on the season, an ACC record at the time. His rushing total and 111 points scored (on 17 TDs and nine PATs) led the entire country. Piccolo set six new conference records and nine school records. He was selected ACC Player of the Year and was an All-American.
One particular game stands out against Duke, in which Piccolo set an ACC record by carrying the ball 36 times for 115 and scoring all of Wake Forests' 20 points.
Piccolo signed a free agent contract with the Chicago Bears and became good friends with future NFL Hall of Famer Gale Sayers. Their story was portrayed in the movie "Brian's Song."
Brian Piccolo died of cancer on June 16, 1970 of cancer. His battle continues today at Wake Forest with annual student organized fund drive and events to raise money for cancer research and The Piccolo Fund.
Brian Piccolo was part of the first class of Wake Forest University Sports Hall of Fame members. He was inducted posthumously on October 17, 1970.
