A powerful running back who enjoyed a long, successful career in the NFL, Joe Marconi ranks high on the list of great Mountaineer running backs.

Born February 6, 1934, Marconi grew up in Frederickstown, Pa., where he was a stellar high school football player. Accepting an athletic scholarship at Maryland, he didn't like the school and instead wound up at WVU.

Initially used on defense, Marconi proved to be too effective as a runner and was installed in Lewis' "T" formation. Piling up 998 career yards on 181 carries for an impressive 5.5 average, Marconi also found the end zone 18 times during his career.

A member of the 1954 Sugar Bowl team, the all-Southern Conference back helped WVU to a 31-7 record during his four years, including a 30-game winning streak in the Southern Conference. Selected to play in the College Football All-Star Game and the Blue-Gray Game after his senior year, his stellar performances in both games helped him become the Los Angeles Rams' No. 1 draft choice in 1956.

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• Position: Running Back
• Hometown: Frederickstown, Pa.
• Inducted into WVU Hall of Fame: 1993