The Nebraska Football Hall of Fame will welcome Joe Planansky on September 4 in Lincoln, honoring a career that blended relentless blocking with impressive receiving stats during his college years.
At Chadron State, Planansky started four seasons and earned three First‑Team Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference selections. He amassed 154 receptions for 1,877 yards, a performance that caught the eye of CSC Head Coach Brad Smith, who called him the best blocker he ever coached.
A High School Trailblazer
Before college, the Hemingford native dominated at Hemingford High, collecting Class C all‑state football honors and capturing the Class C 189‑pound wrestling championship. He also scored a touchdown in the 1990 Shrine Bowl, showcasing his versatility on the field.
Today, Planansky works as a chiropractor in Fort Collins, Colorado, where he continues to draw on the discipline and teamwork forged during his athletic years.
Hall of Fame Class
He will become the ninth individual with Chadron State ties enshrined in the Hall, joining coaches Ross Armstrong and Brad Smith, as well as alumni LaVerne McKelvey and Danny Woodhead, whose own legacies reflect the program’s enduring impact.