Hans, Rick
| Rick Hans – (2008) |
 Outstanding athletes have many of the same qualities such as speed, strength and endurance. However, it is the little extra intangible that allows an outstanding athlete to become a great one. In the late 1960’s and early 1970’s a dual sport star, Rick Hans, from Lorain High School was one of those great athletes. Rick was a speedy receiver and ultra-fast defensive back for the Steelmen. He also was outstanding in the sport of Track and Field.
A two year letter winner in football, the 1970 Lorain High School graduate, was named in 1969 to the 1st Team All Buckeye Conference, 1st Team All District, the Plain Dealer Dream Team and 1st Team United Press International Class AA All Ohio defensive back. He also made special mention for the “Golden Helmet” award and honorable mention on the UPI All-American team. He set a Lorain High record for the longest touchdown reception of 95 yards against Cuyahoga Falls. He was a member of the 1,000 Black Tie Club and was the first Steelman to accumulate 2,000 points for his over-all performance on the gridiron. (points being awarded for interceptions, tackles, touchdowns, etc.) Hans talents went beyond the gridiron as he also excelled in track. A two-year letter winner Hans set a school record in the 440-yard dash with a time of 51.2 seconds. He was also a member of the mile relay team that included Tom Wilmington, Bob McQuattie and Clarence Davis that set a school record of 3 minutes 26.9 seconds. He also scored a second place finish in the 1970 Chronicle Telegram’s Decathlon. After graduation Hans attended Bowling Green State University on a full ride scholarship to play football. He started on the freshman team as a wing back and averaged 9.6 yards a carry for the 9-1 Falcon freshman team. In his sophomore year he was converted to defensive back but was limited by leg injuries. Rick earned three varsity letters at Bowling Green and the highlight of his collegiate career came in his senior season when the Falcons upset the Purdue Boilermakers 17-14, for the first Bowling Green win over a Big Ten school. After college, Rick came back to Lorain to teach in the Lorain City Schools. His undefeated freshman Admiral King football team was a first in school history. He also went on to coach track and wrestling at Whittier Middle School from 1978 to 1997. The same passion that he exemplified on the field carried over into his coaching and teaching career and desire to help others succeed. |
