University of Delaware Athletics
HALL OF FAME COUNTDOWN: Joe Lank (Football, Baseball, Track & Field)
9/30/2015 9:59:00 PM | Baseball, Football
NEWARK, Del. - The University of Delaware will induct its 19th Athletics Hall of Fame Class in a ceremony next Friday, Oct. 2, at the Embassy Suites and follow with a special on-field halftime recognition on Saturday, Oct. 3, when the Blue Hens host William & Mary in football at Delaware Stadium.
Today we continue the 10-day countdown to the event and will recognize one of the inductees each day until the ceremony.
DAY 3 (Sept. 30)
JOE LANK (Football, Baseball, Men's Track & Field)
A three-sport standout in football, baseball, and track & field, Joe stands as one of the top all-around athletes in Delaware history and was named the UD Outstanding Senior Male Athlete of the Year in 1952.
A native of Milford, Del., Joe earned three letters in football as an end and defensive back and was the team's lone 60-minute player his senior year in 1951 when he earned the Baker-Taylor Award as the team's Most Valuable Player.
He played for Hall of Fame head coaches Bill Murray (1949-50) and Dave Nelson (1951) during his football career. He also was a three-year letterwinner in baseball as a shortstop and batted .311 with a team-high 17 RBI and 14 stolen bases in 1952. In track and field, he earned letters competing in the discus and javelin.
His accomplishments at Delaware in addition to his outstanding high school career at Milford High School helped earn him induction into the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame in 2011.
He served 36 years in the military, including 28 years as a Regular Army Field Artillery Officer and eight years as The Adjutant General of the Delaware National Guard, before retiring in 1989.
A 1952 Delaware education graduate, he also served as an assistant professor in the Military Science program at Delaware. He previously was inducted into the University of Delaware Wall of Fame and the University of Delaware ROTC Hall of Heroes.
He currently resides in Lewes, Del. with his wife of 51 years, Virginia. They have three daughters and five grandchildren.
“I am deeply appreciative of the honor being bestowed upon me this year by my alma mater," said Lank. "I am so proud to be joining such an outstanding group of former athletes and coaches in the University of Delaware Athletics Hall of Fame. My coaches at Milford High School and my coaches at the University of Delaware made it all happen. I thank the athletics department for putting forth this recognition. Go Blue Hens!”
Day 10 (Sept. 23): Stephanie Barry (Volleyball)
Day 9 (Sept. 24): Omar Cuff (Football)
Day 8 (Sept. 25): Ken Dill (Men's Basketball & Tennis)
Day 7 (Sept. 26): Bruce Fad (Baseball & Football)
Day 6 (Sept. 27): Sarah Gause (Women's Basketball & Track & Field)
Day 5 (Sept. 28): Leah Geib (Field Hockey)
Day 4 (Sept. 29): Ted Kempski (Football)
Day 3 (Sept. 30): Joe Lank (Football, Baseball, Track & Field)
Day 2 (Oct. 1): George Schmitt (Football)
Day 1 (Oct. 2): Steve Shaw (Men's Lacrosse)
