Vince Palko (2006) - Hall of Fame - Bowling Green State University Athletics

Vince Palko

Induction:
2006
Class:
1995

Vince Palko, a native of Stow, Ohio, was a two-time MAC Defensive Player of the Year for the Brown and Orange. A two-time co-captain at his inside linebacker position, he started every game as both a freshman and a sophomore, helping the Falcons to bowl wins in each season. In 1991, he had 98 tackles to finish second on the team, and again placed second the following year, with 119 stops. As a junior in 1993, Palko earned his first MAC Defensive P-O-Y honor, also garnering All-MAC and Academic All-MAC First-Team honors. He led the team and was seventh in the MAC with 141 total tackles, and was BGSU’s nominee for the Vern Smith Award. That fall, he led the entire league with 15
tackles for loss, including four sacks. As a senior in ’94, Palko again was the league’s Defensive P-O-Y, and again made both the all-league and academic all-league first teams. He again led the team in tackles, with 120, giving him a career total of 478 stops. Palko was one of 48 players considered for the Butkus Award, given to the top linebacker in college football, in that 1994 season.

Vince Palko was elected to the BGSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006.