2009 Hall of Fame member Joe Panos
August 31, 2009 | Football
Every day this week one of the seven members of the University of Wisconsin Athletics Hall of Fame class of 2009 will be celebrated. The Hall of Fame induction is Friday, Sept. 4 outside the Camp Randall Memorial Sports Center. The 6 p.m. ceremony is open to the public. Today's celebrant is football player Joe Panos.
A three-year letterwinner on the Wisconsin football team, Joe Panos lived up to Wisconsin's reputation of producing successful offensive linemen. From 1991-93, Panos started 32-consecutive games and capped off his UW career as the team's co-captain during the Badgers' 1994 Rose Bowl victory.
A Brookfield, Wis., native, Panos earned first-team All-Big Ten and second-team All-America honors during his senior season in 1993. He was selected to play in the East/West Shrine Game and Senior Bowl during the same year. In 1992, Panos was second-team All-Big Ten and the recipient of the Wayne Souza Award for offensive coaches' appreciation.
Panos' career extended beyond the University of Wisconsin when he was selected in the third round of the 1994 NFL draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. Panos earned All-Rookie honors in 1994 and had an NFL career that lasted until 2000. After three seasons with the Eagles, Panos ended his career with the Buffalo Bills, where he received the Ed Block Courage Award in 2000.
The members of the class of 2009 include Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne (1996-99); NFL lineman Joe Panos (1991-93); All-American runner Claire Eichner (1988-92); basketball player Robin Threatt (1988-93), and in the heritage category, baseball player Thornton Kipper (1946-50). Coach/administrator Bill Reddan (first soccer coach 1977-81 and club coach 13 years) and Mendota Gridiron Executive Director Wayne Esser in the special category are also to be inducted.
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