Dick Lasse

Richard Stephen Lasse (November 13, 1935 – April 28, 2025) was an American professional football player and college coach.

Dick Lasse

No. 89, 88, 30
Lasse in 1958
Date of birth	(1935-11-13)November 13, 1935
Place of birth	Quincy, Massachusetts, U.S.
Date of death	April 28, 2025(2025-04-28) (aged 89)
Career information
Position(s)	Linebacker
Height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight	222 lb (101 kg)
US college	Syracuse
NFL draft	1958 / round: 6 / pick: 68
Career history
As player
1958–1959	Pittsburgh Steelers
1960–1961	Washington Redskins
1962	New York Giants
1963	Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Career highlights and awards
Second-team All-American (1957) 2× First-team All-Eastern (1956, 1957)

College playing career

After graduating from Worcester Academy in 1954,^[1] Lasse played college football (linebacker and tight end) and wrestled for the Syracuse University, where he was teammates with Jim Brown.^[2] His senior year, Lasse was an All-American on defense, while leading the team in receiving. For his efforts he won the Bill Horr Award as the team's MVP and the Pat Miller Award as the team's outstanding athlete, student, and citizen.^[2] He was chosen to play in the 1958 Senior Bowl and North-South Game.^[2]

Professional playing career

Lasse was drafted in the sixth round (68th overall) in the 1958 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers and played five seasons with the team, followed by a season each with the Washington Redskins and the New York Giants.^[3] In 1963 he played a season in the CFL for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Coaching career

Curry

Lasse was the first football coach at Curry College in Milton, Massachusetts,^[4] starting the program in 1965 with an inaugural winless season of 0–5. He coached at Curry until 1968, accumulating a record of 3–19.^[5]

Geneva

Lasse was the 27th head football coach at Geneva College located in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania and holding the position for two seasons 1974 and 1975. His coaching record at Geneva was 1–17.

Death

Lasse died on April 28, 2025, at the age of 89.^[6]