JOHN BANASZAK

John Banaszak
Holy Name High School (Cleveland, OH)
Eastern Michigan University
Football

 Playing career:
 Enlisted in the Marine Corps before resuming his football career at Eastern Michigan in 1971

 Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1975 and was one of three rookies to make the roster of the defending Super Bowl Champions.

 As a Steeler, Banaszak played on 3 championship teams and started 45 straight games including Super Bowls XIII and XVI.

 Played with the USFL’s Michigan Panthers in 1983 and was a player coach for the Memphis Showboats in 1985.

 Coaching career:
 Defensive coordinator and head baseball coach at Washington & Jefferson College in 1995.

 Named America Football Quarterly Defensive Coordinator of the Year in 1995.

 1997 Baseball Coach of the Year following a PAC Championship.

 As Head Coach at W&J from 1999 to 2003, Banaszak took the Presidents to four NCAA Division III playoff appearances and four Presidents’ Athletic Conference championships.

 He was a four-time PAC Coach of the Year at W&J and compiled a 38-9 (.809) record during his time there.

 Presently he is an assistant coach at Robert Morris University in charge of the special teams and defensive line.

 John was inducted into the Eastern Michigan University Hall of Fame in 1985.