Hall of Fame
Joseph Skladany '82 was the key defensive player on the 1981 football team that went 9-2 and finished the season ranked ninth in the country in NCAA Division I-AA. He earned first team All-America honors from the Associated Press that year. As one of the best linebackers in Lafayette history, Skladany holds a school record with 532 career tackles. Skladany was a starter and defensive caller for an unprecedented four years and twice was named the team's MVP. A member of a great football family, Skladany's brother, Tom, had a brilliant career at Ohio State and the Detroit Lions of the NFL, while his father and uncles played professional football. After graduating with a degree in economics and business, Skladany had a tryout with the Pittsburgh Steelers and signed a free agent contract with the Arizona Wranglers of the United States Football League.
