Paul Shank
The first of a trio of inductees from the class of 1968 is football standout Paul Shank. In two seasons on the gridiron, Shank played offense, defense and special teams and earned second team All-Conference honors following the '68 campaign. There was rarely a moment Shank was not on the field during his two seasons. On the offensive end he was a wide receiver, on defense he shined bright as a safety and on special teams he ran the gamut as kickoff and punt return man, kickoff and punt coverage, and field goal defense. As a wide receiver Shank led the team in receptions and receiving touchdowns. On defense he led the team in interceptions, interceptions returned for touchdowns, and forced fumbles returned for touchdowns. As the team's primary kick returner, he led the team in all major statistical categories in that realm. Off the field he was elected the Menlo Student Body Freshman Class Vice President in 1967.
"Menlo was a really good place for me," said Shank. "Good times, lots of good people, and a good learning environment."
Following his time at Menlo, Shank went on to play football for Washington State University on a full-ride scholarship where he was a two-year starter at safety and a punt returner. He returned to Atherton as a teacher at Menlo School where he taught for nearly four years and eventually met his wife. Professionally he is a long-time Certified Physician's Assistant in Yuba City where he also coaches the Yuba City High School boys' soccer team.
"When I got the call saying I was in, I was on my way into surgery and was jumping in the air in excitement. It was truly a welcomed gift and I appreciated Howard [Erenberg], Â Larry [Baugh] and that whole group who were the driving force behind this thing," said Shank.
