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Duke Hall of Famer Elmore Hackney Passes Away
3/8/2011 10:30:00 AM | Football
DURHAM, N.C. – Former Duke All-America quarterback Elmore Hackney passed away on March 5 in San Dimas, Calif. He was 95.
Born September 13, 1915 in Durham and later nicknamed “Honeyboy,” Hackney was a second team All-America and team MVP pick in 1937 after rushing for 490 yards and nine touchdowns as Duke went 7-2-1. Over his three seasons, Hackney rushed for 1,359 yards and 20 touchdowns, twice earned All-Southern Conference accolades and helped the Blue Devils to a 24-5-1 ledger with league championships in both 1935 and 1936. He also lettered two seasons as a member of Duke's track and field team.
Hackney continues to hold the school single-game record for punt returns with 11 against Colgate in 1936. In addition, his 136 punt return yards in the same game rank second on Duke's single-game chart. Hackney, who on Duke's all-time lists ranks tied for sixth in rushing touchdowns and 22nd in rushing yards, had a pair of 100-yard rushing days with 108 yards on 18 attempts against Clemson in 1935 and a career-best 123 yards on 14 carries versus Tennessee the same season.
Following his senior season at Duke, Hackney played in the East-West Shrine Game and was a 12th round pick of the New York Giants in the 1938 NFL draft. He was enshrined in the Duke Athletics Hall of Fame in 1981.
Hackney worked 42 years with the American Tobacco Company in Durham before retiring in 1982. He also worked with Duke Athletics in game operations – manning the scoreboard at Duke home football games for 50 seasons – and concessions.
A friends and family visitation and viewing will be at Hall-Wynne Funeral Services on Friday evening March 11th from 5- 7:30 p.m., and the Celebration of Life Memorial Service at Hall-Wynne Funeral Services on Saturday, March 12th at 11 a.m. followed by internment at Maplewood Cemetery. The family will host a luncheon after the services. The services will be performed by Rev. Andy Winn of the First Baptist Church of Durham.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to: In memory of Elmore “Honeyboy” Hackney, Duke Athletics, Box 90542, Durham, N.C., 27708.
Born September 13, 1915 in Durham and later nicknamed “Honeyboy,” Hackney was a second team All-America and team MVP pick in 1937 after rushing for 490 yards and nine touchdowns as Duke went 7-2-1. Over his three seasons, Hackney rushed for 1,359 yards and 20 touchdowns, twice earned All-Southern Conference accolades and helped the Blue Devils to a 24-5-1 ledger with league championships in both 1935 and 1936. He also lettered two seasons as a member of Duke's track and field team.
Hackney continues to hold the school single-game record for punt returns with 11 against Colgate in 1936. In addition, his 136 punt return yards in the same game rank second on Duke's single-game chart. Hackney, who on Duke's all-time lists ranks tied for sixth in rushing touchdowns and 22nd in rushing yards, had a pair of 100-yard rushing days with 108 yards on 18 attempts against Clemson in 1935 and a career-best 123 yards on 14 carries versus Tennessee the same season.
Following his senior season at Duke, Hackney played in the East-West Shrine Game and was a 12th round pick of the New York Giants in the 1938 NFL draft. He was enshrined in the Duke Athletics Hall of Fame in 1981.
Hackney worked 42 years with the American Tobacco Company in Durham before retiring in 1982. He also worked with Duke Athletics in game operations – manning the scoreboard at Duke home football games for 50 seasons – and concessions.
A friends and family visitation and viewing will be at Hall-Wynne Funeral Services on Friday evening March 11th from 5- 7:30 p.m., and the Celebration of Life Memorial Service at Hall-Wynne Funeral Services on Saturday, March 12th at 11 a.m. followed by internment at Maplewood Cemetery. The family will host a luncheon after the services. The services will be performed by Rev. Andy Winn of the First Baptist Church of Durham.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to: In memory of Elmore “Honeyboy” Hackney, Duke Athletics, Box 90542, Durham, N.C., 27708.
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