Hall of Honor
A quiet confidence accompanied Lee Rankinen’s incredible talent on the gridiron. Former long-time coach Ed DeGeorge knew Rankinen could be a difference-maker for the Buccaneers, and that’s exactly what he became after arriving on campus in the fall of 2003.
Rankinen’s play spoke for itself as he broke the program record for rushing yards in a season in his sophomore campaign, but it was his humility and work ethic that was inspirational to his teammates and coaches. “He never complained. He did his job,” said former Coach DeGeorge. “Beloit College has been playing football since 1889. Lee rushed for more yards in a season than anyone in our history. His quickness to the hole was truly special and when the game was on the line, we wanted the ball in Lee’s hands.”
Highly regarded as one of the greatest ball carriers in Beloit College Football history, Rankinen holds top five marks in numerous categories in the program record book including carries in a game, rush yards in a game, rushing attempts in a season, rushing yards in a season, rushing touchdowns in a season, career attempts, career rushing yards and career rushing touchdowns. In the Midwest Conference, Rankinen is tied for fifth in the league all-time with eight 100-yard rushing games in a single season.
Rankinen was honored with the Donald ‘Red’ Janssen Award in 2006 and the Pat Dawson Award in 2007 as Beloit College’s top junior and senior male student-athlete.
