An outstanding all-around athlete at Muskegon Heights High School from 1933-37, Milo Sukup earned All-State honors in basketball and football. Sukup also excelled in track, holding the school’s record in the 100-yard dash at 10.2 seconds, and in baseball, as an infielder for the Tigers. His athletic exploits were recognized with 12 varsity letters.
On the gridiron, the powerful fullback led the Tigers to 27 consecutive victories and three mythical state titles between 1933 and 1935. In his honor, the final football game of his senior year was played on a day declared “Milo Sukup Day.”
Following graduation from the Heights, Sukup attended the University of Michigan. At Michigan, head coach Fritz Crisler moved the 5-foot-8, 176 pound back to the offensive line, as the running guard for Wolverine great Tom Harmon. Despite his small size, Sukup excelled on the line. Head injuries suffered in a game against the University of Pennsylvania forced him to miss the final three games of his senior season. Many believe the injury cost the Heights native All-American honors.
Soon after completing his college career, Milo became head football coach at Grand Rapids Union High School. At Union, Sukup installed the single wing attack used at Michigan. Between 1942 and 1971, his Red Hawks earned five outright City League titles and shared a sixth. His 1948 squad went undefeated en route to the mythical state crown in Class A.