Ed Blackburn

Ed Blackburn, a native of Malvern, Iowa, was a two-sport standout at Wayne State College, starring in football and track and field from 1978 to 1982. Blackburn was a Second Team NAIA All-American tight end in 1981 along with receiving First Team NAIA All-District 11 and All-Central States Intercollegiate Conference honors. The 6-5, 220-pound receiver had 25 catches for 359 yards and six touchdowns in his senior season. He also was named to several all-state college teams for his play on the football field. In track and field, Blackburn was a two-time All-American in the 110-meter high hurdles. Blackburn placed fifth at the 1980 NAIA National Meet with a time of 14.2 seconds and placed sixth at the 1981 NAIA National Meet with a time of 14.7 seconds. At the time of his induction, he held the school record in the 110-meter high hurdles at 14.0 seconds in 1982. Blackburn graduated from WSC in 1982 with a degree in education and at the time of his induction, was an industrial technology teacher at Desert Shadows Middle School in Apache Junction, Ariz., and also served as a track coach. Blackburn was inducted into the WSC Athletics Hall of Fame on Oct. 17, 2001.