Forester Athletic Hall of Fame
Inducted 1991
Al Hanke 
Growing up in Waukesha, Wisconsin, Al attended Waukesha High School and earned 11 varsity letters in football, basketball, tennis and track.  In football, he was team captain and an All-State selection.  On the track, he was conference champion in high and low hurdles.

He entered the U.S. Navy in 1943, serving in the South Pacific during World War II.  Honorably discharged in 1946, he enrolled at Carroll College in Waukesha, Wisconsin.  As a four sport letterman he amassed 15 varsity awards and was selected All America three consecutive years in football. 

He started his coaching career in 1951 at Kenosha High School.  Within three years his wrestling team won the state championship.  In 1954 Al accepted a coaching position at Lake Forest College and over a 19-year tenure as wrestling coach was twice named NAIA District Coach of the year, won the CCIW Wrestling Championship in 1960 and compiled a dual meet record of 102-68-5.  In 1973 he accepted the wrestling coach position at Elmhurst College in Illinois and over the next 17 years also coached track, cross country, golf, women's tennis and assisted in football.

He was inducted into the Carroll College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1973, the Illinois Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1986, the Elmhurst Athletic Hall of Fame in 1990.  In recognition of his 247-172-7 career coaching record he was inducted into the NCAA Division III Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1995.

An outstanding golfer, Al also excelled in racquetball winning numerous masters' state championships in both singles and doubles.  On several occasions he advanced to the semi-finals in National competition.


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