Reggie "Stretch" Carolan was a multi-talented star for the Vandals from 1957-62. As a two-sport athlete, Carolan stood out for Idaho in both basketball and football.
Carolan was a tight end and punter for the Vandal football squad. In 1960, Carolan averaged an impressive 40.6 yards per punt and caught a team-leading 33 passes for 488 yards and three touchdowns. In 1961, he led the Vandals in receiving again with 21 catches for 225 yards and one touchdown. As a member of the men’s basketball team, Carolan helped the Vandals to a 32-42 record in his three years on the court from 1958-61.
After his college career ended, he got a call from the San Diego Chargers in the 17th round of the 1961 American Football League Draft. It didn’t take him long to have an impact, as he earned a spot in the 1962 AFL All-Star Game. His professional career spanned seven years and included an appearance in Super Bowl I and the 1966 AFL title with the Kansas City Chiefs. His son Brett later played in the NFL, making the Carolans one of only 161 father-son pairs to play in the NFL.