Hall of Fame
JACK PADLEY, COLONEL RETIRED - Men's Basketball, Football, Baseball, and Track - 1936-1940
Jack Padley came to UD from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Padley was a four-sport athlete while at UD, but was most noted for his career as a football player. He was a 5 foot 9 inch, 162 pound back for Coach Harry Baujan.
In 1937, Padley was named All Ohio, All Buckeye Conference and Ohio’s Most Valuable Player. Continuing with his greatness the following year, Padley was named All Ohio, All Midwestern by Red Grange, and was given the title “Greatest Back in America playing with a Small College Team” by the Saturday Evening Post. Still not to be outdone, Padley was named All Ohio, Little All American, and Dayton’s Most Valuable Player in 1939.
Padley was drafted in the in 16th round of the NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions in 1940.
Rather than playing professional football, Padley chose a career in the United States Army where he rose to the rank of Full Colonel.
