Eichenlaub was born in Columbus, Ohio—his date of birth varies by source, most indicating January 10 of 1892 or 1893.[b]
After graduating from East High School in his hometown, Eichenlaub received collegiate offers from Notre Dame and Michigan.[6] He selected Notre Dame, where he played as a fullback for the Fighting Irish football teams of 1911 to 1914.[2] Eichenlaub wore uniform number 13 for his first three seasons, then number 33 as a senior.[7] The Fighting Irish compiled a record of 26–2–2 (.900) during his four seasons.
With the 1913 Fighting Irish, which featured Gus Dorais and Knute Rockne and finished with a 7–0 record, Eichenlaub scored 12 touchdowns.[1] In the spring of 1914, various newspapers reported that Eichenlaub was in danger of losing his eyesight due to conjunctivitis,[8] but this was refuted by Notre Dame head coach Jesse Harper.[9] For all but his freshman season, Eichenlaub was named to All-Western teams and received All-America honors from some selectors of the era.
Eichenlaub also competed in track and field, in shot put and discus, for Notre Dame.[10] Initially elected as captain of the 1915 track and field team,[11] Eichenlaub quit athletics early in 1915 and was succeeded by Dutch Bergman.[12]
Outside of athletics, Eichenlaub was an insurance executive in his hometown of Columbus.[10] During his time in the military, he married Emma Elizabeth Eberle on August 2, 1918.[17] A son, Ray Jr., played football at Notre Dame in the early 1940s.[18] Eichenlaub was elected president of the Notre Dame alumni association for 1940–41.[19] He died in Columbus in 1949 of a heart attack,[10] and was buried in Lockbourne, Ohio.[4] In 1972, Eichenlaub was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame.[2]
Notes
^A nickname of "Iron Eich" is noted by the College Football Hall of Fame,[2] but examples of that nickname being used when Eichenlaub was an active player are lacking.
^Eichenlaub's 1942 draft registration card listed January 10, 1892.[3] His 1957 headstone application initially listed January 10, 1893, with the year manually altered to 1892.[4] Online images of his death certificate and actual headstone indicate January 10, 1893. The College Football Hall of Fame and pro-football-reference.com both list July 15, 1892.[2][5]
.JPG)
