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Inductee
PATANELLI, JOE
PATANELLI, JOE
Born on September 18, 1919
Elkhart
August 18, 1998.
Inducted On
October 30, 1997
Location Inducted
Elkhart, IN
Region Number
2
Elkhart
Player
Elkhart
1938
3 letters in football as TE, tackle, drop kicker, and kick returner; team MVP and captain as a senior; team finished as East NIHSC Co-Champions in 1936, runner-up in 1935 and 1937; football team was 7-3-1, 8-1, and 7-1-1 during his football career; also played basketball and was named All-Sectional junior and senior seasons; basketball captain as a senior; team won sectional his junior and senior years.
Indiana University on a full football scholarship, but returned home upon the death of his father and did not graduate.
Served in the South Pacific with the US Marines during WW II.
Professional Athletic Background: Signed by Arch Wolfe to the Chicago Cardinals of the NFL in 1941 after serving in the United States Marines; also played professional basketball with the Toledo Jeeps and the Minneapolis Lakers; played first base for two minor league baseball teams, Rockford, IL, Rox and the Superior, WI, Blues; was a heavyweight boxer, getting a start while serving in the Marines.

Coaching Experience: Coached local baseball and softball teams.