Wayne State University Athletics

Joe Gough, a four-year football letter-winner (1991-94) and Wayne State's all-time leading rusher, has been selected for induction into the WSU Athletic Hall of Fame. A native of Union Lake, Gough joined the WSU football program in 1991 after graduating from Orchard Lake St. Mary's. WSU's all-time leader in rushing yards (4,204) and rushing attempts (996) actually began his career as a middle linebacker. He finished second on the squad in tackles with 107 during the 1991 season. His 52 assisted tackles led the team. He also tied for the team lead with three fumble recoveries. The following year, Gough moved to fullback and set a school record with 1,340 rushing yards to earn Second Team All-MIFC honors. Gough was named WSU's Most Valuable Player and Most Valuable Offensive Back, while also earning MIFC Player of the Week honors after rushing for 258 yards versus Indianapolis. He was an honorable mention (C.M. Frank) All-America selection in 1993 as well as earning First Team All-MIFC accolades. Gough rushed for 1,250 yards and 12 touchdowns and also led the team in receptions with 37. His rushing total was 16th in the nation, while his all-purpose yards total of 1,481 was 29th nationally. Gough saved his best for last. As a senior and team captain, he set the NCAA Division II record, which still stands today, with 385 rushing attempts for 1,593 yards (breaking his own WSU record) and 13 touchdowns. His 1,600 all-purpose yards was the third highest school mark at that time. He was selected to the C.M. Frank Second Team All-America squad and to the Hansen's Football Gazette Third Team All-America squad. Gough also participated in the NCAA Division II All-Star Game (then called the Snow Bowl) and captained Team USA for the Stars and Stripes Bowl in Ireland. For his Wayne State career, Gough's 33 career rushing touchdowns are second all-time in school history, while his 36 overall touchdowns scored rank third on the career charts. His 4,536 all-purpose yards are nearly 500 more than the next person on the WSU list. He is the only person in NCAA Division II football history to have a 100 tackle season as a freshman and three consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons. His name also appears in the GLIAC/MIFC Record Book for conference games only statistics. Gough holds the record for most rushing attempts in a season (344 - 1994) and career (898), and most net rushing yards by a fullback in a game (258 - Sept. 5, 1992 vs. Indianapolis) and season (1,216 - 1992). He also is the career record-holder for all-purpose yard plays in conference games at 942 (rushing, receiving and returns). He graduated in 1996 from St. Mary's College with a degree in communications. He went on to teach and coach at his alma mater, where he was on the coaching staff for state championships in both football and basketball. Gough is presently the Detroit territory manager with Lexis-Nexis. He also does freelance film and video writing, where he has worked with Kid Rock, Eminem and Sheryl Crow. Gough also appeared in Billy Crystal's film "61*" as the Detroit Tigers catcher. He currently resides in Huntington Woods with his wife Kristen and daughter Shaylen.