Hank Lauricella

Francis Edward Lauricella, known as Hank Lauricella (October 9, 1930 – March 25, 2014) was a Hall of Fame American football player for the Tennessee Volunteers football team. He served as a Democrat in the Louisiana House of Representatives and then in the Louisiana State Senate from Jefferson Parish in the New Orleans suburbs from 1972 to 1996. On his retirement, Lauricella was succeeded by the Republican Art Lentini.

High school career
Born in Harahan, Louisiana, Lauricella was a star at Holy Cross High School in New Orleans. His team there won the city championship in 1947 with use of the single wing offense.

College career
Lauricella played under Coach Robert Neyland at the University of Tennessee from 1949 to 1951. He was a member of the 1950 National Championship team and the 1951 National Championship team. Lauricella gained fame as the running back in the single wing offense, at the time that most schools had switched to the T-formation. At that position, Lauricella was responsible for the majority of the rushing and passing. Due to his skill at both aspects, Lauricella was dubbed "Mr. Everything".

In 1951, Lauricella was named as an All American and was the first runner up in the Heisman Trophy voting to Dick Kazmaier of Princeton University. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1981.

Political career
Lauricella first served in the Louisiana House of Representatives in 1964 as a Democrat and then in the Louisiana State Senate in 1972. He later became a Republican.