Paul Shu was a star athlete at George Washington High School in Alexandria, Virginia before attending Virginia Military Institute. Shu was the first Virginia Military Cadet to letter in four sports, football, baseball, basketball and track. He earned the nickname of “Pounding Paul” during his football days at Virginia Military Institute.
In 1937 and 1938, Paul Shu was selected as a First-Team All-Southern Conference Player. Due to a knee injury in 1939, which reduced his speed and mobility, Shu was shifted to the position of blocking back, where he excelled. He was drafted in the 10th round of the 1940 NFL draft, but because of the risk of further injury, completed only part of a season with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Shu is in the Virginia Military Institute’s Hall of Fame as one of its All-Time Outstanding Athletes. He was awarded the Virginia Military Institute Committee Medal by the College Faculty for The Most Distinguished in Efficiency of Service in Excellence and Character.