Lester (Les) R. Runk

Lester (Les) R. Runk

Athletic Category – Class of 1935
2008 Inductee

Les Runk was a member of the 1933, 1934 and 1935 State Championship basketball teams. He was the team captain in his senior year and was known for his deadly midcourt shot in 1935 that swished the net without hitting the rim to beat Muskegon in the first overtime.

Les also captained the 1934 football team and was a member of the 1935 State Champion tennis team. He was a natural born leader who would go on to star in athletics at Western State Teachers College (now Western Michigan University). He served in the Navy from 1942-45 as a Chief Specialist Athletics and received a letter of commendation from James Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy.

Les went on to teach in Tecumseh and East Grand Rapids.