Penn State, the National Football Foundation (NFF) and the College Hall of Fame announced earlier this week that they will jointly honor two-time All-American Shane Conlan with an NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute during Penn State’s meeting with Ohio State this weekend.
“It’s a great honor to join all the former Penn State players and all the great players in the College Football Hall of Fame,” Conlan said. “It’s very humbling. The list of nominees was such a distinguished group.”
The NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute program has been a tradition since it began in 1951. Each inductee returns to his alma mater to accept a Hall of Fame plaque that will remain on permanent display at the institution. Among one of the all-time greats at “Linebacker U,” Conlan starred from 1983-86.
A 1986 Consensus First-Team All-American and finalist for the Butkus Award, Conlan recorded eight tackles and two interceptions in the 1987 Fiesta Bowl over Miami (Fla.) to give Penn State the national title. Twice leading Penn State in tackles, he finished his career ranked second on the Lions’ career tackles list with 274, and his 183 solo tackles still rank third in school history.
Conlan would lead Penn State to an impressive 31-10-1 record during his time in Happy Valley.
Conlan becomes the 18th Nittany Lion to be inducted, joining John Cappelletti (1971-73), Keith Dorney (1975-78), Jack Ham (1968-70), Glenn Killinger (1918-21), Ted Kwalick (1966-68), Richie Lucas (1957-59), Pete Mauthe (1909-12), Shorty Miller (1910-13), Lydell Mitchell (1969-71), Dennis Onkotz (1967-69), Mike Reid (1966, 1968-69), Glenn Ressler (1962-64), Dave Robinson (1960-62), Steve Suhey (1942, 1946-47), Dexter Very (1909-12), Curt Warner (1979-82) and Harry Wilson (1921-23).
Five coaches with stops in State College are in the Hall: Hugo Bezdek (1918-29), Rip Engle (1950-65), Dick Harlow (1915-17), Bob Higgins (1930-48) and Joe Paterno (1966-2011).
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