Indiana University Athletics
Hall of Fame Week: Sniadecki and Pioneers Menke and Thomas
9/30/2011 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
Sept. 30, 2011
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Heading into the Indiana Athletics Hall of Fame induction of the 2011 Class, IUHoosiers.com will feature each inductee, along with two inductees into the Pioneer Class. Today, we feature Jim Sniadecki (Football, 1966-68), Bill Menke (Men's Basketball, 1939-41) and Gene Thomas (Football, 1920-23; Men's Basketball, 1920-23; Baseball, 1922-23; Track & Field, 1922-23).
 James Sniadecki |
James Sniadecki - Football, 1966-68:
Sniadecki won football letters in 1966, 1967 and 1968 and was co-captain in 1968. He was All-Big Ten at outside linebacker on the 1967 Rose Bowl and Big Ten tri-championship team, and All-Big Ten again in 1968, when he also was second-team All-America and played in the East-West and Hula Bowl games. He played five NFL years with the San Francisco 49ers.
 Bill Menke |
Bill Menke - Men's Basketball, 1939-41:
Menke won basketball letters in 1939, 1940 and 1941. A 1940 All-American, he made the all-tournament team as the center on IU's 1940 NCAA championship team. He was the leading scorer on the Hoosiers' 17-3 Big Ten runnerup team in 1941 and was a popular campus leader.
 Gene Thomas |
Gene Thomas - Football, 1920-23; Men's Basketball, 1920-23; Baseball, 1922-23; Track & Field, 1922-23:
Thomas is the only four-sport letterman in IU history. He won three letters in football, three letters in basketball, two letters in baseball and two letters in track, all from 1920-23. He won the Gimbel Award in 1923. Thomas coach Marion High to its first state basketball championship in 1926 and later coached two Michigan high school teams to state championships.
