Merle Stoddard, A native of Coeur d’Alene who gained fame as a baseball pitcher and backfield star at Idaho in the 1930’s.
Named outstanding senior athlete when he graduated from Coeur d’Alene High School. When 13 years old he was a regular on the Coeur d’Alene semi-pro baseball team. Played football for Ted Bank at Idaho and was quarterback and fullback for three years. Did most of the punting. Was a member of the ’38 team which had the finest record in Idaho history with a 6-3-1 mark until broken by 1971 team.
Named honorable mention All-American for football by United Press in 1937. Was rated as one of the top collegiate pitchers of his era; known for his “sneaky” fast ball, he had a record of eight straight wins over WSU in baseball while hurling for Idaho coach Bud McNeely. Following World War II service, he joined his father in fuel and storage and moving business at Coeur d’Alene