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Steve Lach

Halfback

Inducted 1980

Date of Birth

8/6/1920

Birthplace

Altoona, PA

School

Duke University (1939-1941)

Bio

A triple-threat halfback from Altoona, Pennsylvania, Steve Lach was rated as perhaps the greatest player the legendary Wallace Wade ever coached at Duke. In fact, Lach was regarded by those who followed the Blue Devils as the equal of Ace Parker and George McAfee. The rugged 6-2, 189-pound Lach was named to nine different All-America teams as a senior for the Blue Devils in 1941. That year he placed ninth in the Heisman vote. The Blue Devils finished the season as the nation's second-ranked team. Aside from being an outstanding halfback who averaged 6.8 yards per carry in three varsity campaigns, Lach also excelled as a defensive back, and as a punter, sported a 41.1 yards per kick average. Lach played professional football for the Chicago Cardinals, and then went on to serve his country in the U.S. Navy.