Hank Lauricella graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1952 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Engineer Corps. Even though the Korean War cease fire had been negotiated, he reported to South Korea and was selected to serve on the Armistice Commission support staff.
Lauricella is a venerated name in the history of Tennessee football. He led the Volunteers to a 10-1 season during his junior year, capped by a victory in the 1951 Cotton Bowl. Tennessee went undefeated during the regular season of his senior year, won the SEC title, and was named national champion. Lauricella was a repeat All–SEC player, was named an All–American, and was voted runner-up for the Heisman Trophy.
Following his Army service, Lauricella returned to his native Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, and led a successful residential and commercial real estate business. He represented Jefferson Parish in the Louisiana legislature for 32 years. In 1964, Lauricella was elected to the first of two terms in the state House of Representatives. From 1972 to 1996, he served in the State Senate.
Lauricella is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. He was named by UT in 2017 as one of its 100 distinguished graduates.
He passed away in 2014
Lauricella is a venerated name in the history of Tennessee football. He led the Volunteers to a 10-1 season during his junior year, capped by a victory in the 1951 Cotton Bowl. Tennessee went undefeated during the regular season of his senior year, won the SEC title, and was named national champion. Lauricella was a repeat All–SEC player, was named an All–American, and was voted runner-up for the Heisman Trophy.
Following his Army service, Lauricella returned to his native Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, and led a successful residential and commercial real estate business. He represented Jefferson Parish in the Louisiana legislature for 32 years. In 1964, Lauricella was elected to the first of two terms in the state House of Representatives. From 1972 to 1996, he served in the State Senate.
Lauricella is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. He was named by UT in 2017 as one of its 100 distinguished graduates.
He passed away in 2014
