Bill Lankford
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- Year Inducted:
- 2023-24
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- Sport(s):
- Football/Baseball/Basketball
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- Inductee Category:
- Athlete
Bill Lankford '76 was a three-sport competitor in football, basketball, and baseball during his time as an Eagle athlete in the mid-70s. A native of New London, Mo., Lankford attended Mark Twain High School. He was a letterman on the hardwood under Head Coach Larry Holley and played baseball under Head Coach Steve Phipps. His presence was most felt on the football gridiron. While leading the Eagles to a 6-3-1 overall and a 5-2 mark in the Heart of America Conference in 1973, Lankford earned Heart All-Star honors as a running back, kicker, and return specialist. He was named to the NAIA First Team All-District 16 Offense after leading CMC in scoring with a school record of 107 points, which was good for sixth-best nationally. His 107 points included 10 touchdowns, 27 extra points, and seven field goals, highlighted by a school-record 47-yard field goal. As a running back, Lankford carried the ball 132 times for 730 yards, good for 5.5 yards per carry. He also caught 17 passes for 278 yards. Aggregately, he generated 1,008 yards of total offense in his sophomore campaign. If that wasn't enough, he also kicked the game-winning field goal against No. 8 Ottawa with 10 seconds left to secure a 17-14 victory. His versatility was cemented when he registered an NAIA District 16 record nine field goals. Lankford was a big part of the 1975 CMC Football Heart Championship campaign where he led the NAIA in punt returns. His 15 returns garnered 495 yards including four touchdowns.
