SPRINGDALE — Mike Lankford considers himself one of the luckiest athletes to ever graduate from Springdale High.
In his three years of being a Red’Dog, he contributed to back-to-back state championships for the football team while being a standout athlete in basketball and track.
Lankford, who graduated in 1970 and currently lives in Pine Bluff, was also given the honor of being Springdale’s co-team captain his senior season while playing the linebacker position.
Lankford has been selected for induction into the Springdale Athletic Hall of Fame, part of an 11-member class that will increased the hall’s membership to 60.
This year’s inductees are Billy Paul Backus (graduated from Springdale High in 1943), Greg Culp (1979), Kenneth Gibbons (1973), Mike Gibbons (1974), Franklin Graham (1962), Jamie Green (1998), Charles Jones (1946), Mike Lankford (1970), Junior Smith (1969), John Tyson (meritorious service) and Sonny Zachary (1962).
“There were a series of thoughts that crossed my mind, but to find out you’re going in the hall of fame, it’s pretty overwhelming,” said Lankford, 57. “I was just really surprised, honored and humbled about being inducted.
“I have a lot of pride about Springdale, something I’ve always carried with me.”
Not only was Lankford a three-year letterman in the three sports he competed in, he also named an all-conference player multiple times, was named to several all-tournament basketball teams, including the state tournament his senior year.
PROFILE
Mike Lankford
Graduation Year: 1970
Sport/Contribution: Football, basketball, track and field
Notable: During his three years at Springdale High, Lankford contributed to back-to-back football state championships. ... He was the Red Bulldogs’ co-team captain in football his senior season.
“Looking back, we were really just a bunch of misfit players,” Lankford said. “But we found ways to come together, to gel and play as a team. That’s the reason we always had so much success, because of our leadership and because of the pride we had for Springdale.”
After graduation, Lankford attended Arkansas, where he was a scout team football player for two years. He later transferred to a junior college before landing at Tulsa, from which he graduated in 1975.
Since that time, Lankford has recorded multiple athletic achievements, including running in a half-marathon in 1994 in Richmond, Va. He’s also been a youth football, basketball and baseball coach for many athletic associations, he said.
“I’d always had an aspiration to run in a marathon, and having the chance to do it was really tremendous,” said Lankford, who worked for Tyson Foods for more than 25 years. “I’ve been able to do a lot of things in my life, and I’m very lucky for all of that.”
Tickets to this year’s banquet are $10 per person, and are being sold at the Springdale Athletic office at 509 East Emma Ave. For more information, call 750-1680 or e-mail [email protected] or [email protected].