Rhodes College Athletics

After graduating from Memphis University School, where he was an outstanding football and baseball player, Bill Lansden thought his athletic career was over. A short stay in Oklahoma convinced Bill otherwise, so he traveled back to Memphis and enrolled at Rhodes College, and became one of the Lynx all-time greats in football and baseball.
 
Bill was a three-year starter in football. He was the captain of the 1985 Lynx team which finished 8-1-1 and tied for the College Athletic Conference title. Bill possessed size, outstanding feet and agility, so he played strong tackle in Rhodes wing-t offense, a position assigned to the best blocker on the offensive line. For his dominating play his senior year, Bill was selected All CAC by the league’s coaches.
 
You don’t often find an offensive tackle excelling on the diamond, but Bill Lansden used his athleticism and great eye/hand coordination to be an outstanding 1st baseman for the Lynx in baseball, where he also started for three years. Bill was instrumental in leading Rhodes to the 1986 College Athletic Conference baseball title his senior year.
 
Bill has had a distinguished career in athletic administration, including highly successful stints at Middle Tennessee, the University of Memphis and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He also served as the Assistant Director of the Danny Thomas St. Jude Classic.
 
Bill Lansden was certainly a great football and baseball player, but he was an even better leader and teammate. Bill’s coaches loved coaching him and his teammates loved playing with him. Rhodes is honored to induct WILLIAM GEORGE LANSDEN to the Rhodes Athletic Hall of Fame on this 10th day of October, 2014.