Mention the name of the late Marshall Abe Shires, and it brings to mind those hard-charging offensive and defensive lines in the “Golden Age” of University of Tennessee football in 1938-1940. The Alderson, West Virginia, native was part of legendary Volunteer front walls which included Hall of Fame guards Bob Suffridge and Ed Molinski; centers Jim Rike, Bert Ackermann, and Ray Graves; and tackles Bill Luttrell and Hodges “Burr” West. It was a time in which the Vols compiled a 31-2 record and were selected for three bowl games – the Orange, Rose, and Sugar. The success of those three teams, considered among the greatest in Tennessee history, can be traced to outstanding play up front. Shires, who played at 6′-2″, 212 pounds, was a vital cog in making it all happen. He was a 1939 All-America selection and made All-Southeastern Conference in 1939 and 1940. Shires played in the 1941 College all-star Game. With the great success of recent Volunteer football squads, including the 1998-1999 number-one team in the nation, fans and players must never forget the warriors like Abe Shires who toiled in decades past to build one of the most respected traditions in all of college sports.
