Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

Highlights:

Basketball: While playing basketball for Saint Mary's, Wager was twice all-conference center and twice individual scoring champion, copping the title in ‘39 and ‘40. … Participated in the National Invitational Tournament in Kansas City in 1941. … Selected in his senior year as captain of the basketball team. … Upon graduation, played eight years with various NBA teams. During his career in pro basketball, he acquired the reputation of being the best rebound man in the NBA.

Football: In addition to basketball, he played five years of pro football, three years with the Chicago Bears, two years with the Chicago Cardinals. … In 1944, while practicing punting, Wager kicked himself in the head, fracturing his skull and knocking himself out of competition with the Chicago Cardinals for over a month. "That’s one way I’ll never use my head again," said Wager ruefully.