EDITOR'S NOTE: Vic Hanson was originally scheduled to be inducted into the Wayne State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1980, but he declined the induction because at the time he felt there were others more worthy of the honor. This year the Board of Directors re-issued the invitation to join the Hall of Fame, and Mr. Hanson accepted on behalf of the 1945 football team. Though he is being inducted today along with the Class of 1993, Mr. Hanson joins the five other members that comprise the Hall of Fame Class of 1980, the original year of his selection.
Hanson, a native of Highland Park and graduate of Detroit Redford HS, is being inducted both as a football player who lettered in 1945 and as a contributor/builder for the Wayne State University athletics program.
He joined the Wayne football squad for the 1945 campaign after his honorable discharge from the U.S. Marine Corps, which he served in during World War II. Hanson was a two-way tackle on Hall of Famer Joseph G. Gembis' last squad at Wayne University. Among Hanson's teammates included lifelong friends Nick Cherup and Jack Cotton, both WSU Hall of Famers, and Ken Cotter.
Because of his experiences and studies in the Marine Corps, Hanson was able to enter the University's Bachelor of Law studies program after his discharge, and his studies prevented him from playing further with the Tartars after the 1945 season. However, during his remaining undergraduate days at Wayne, Hanson remained very involved with the football squad, serving as King of the Gas House Gang until his graduation in 1949.
It was that year that Hanson established a private legal practice in maritime labor and sports litigation in Detroit, one that would launch him to international notoriety both as an attorney and as a power in Democratic Party politics. Hanson still operates that practice today.
Hanson has been instrumental in several fund raising efforts as a contributor/builder for Tartar football and athletics. He helped spearhead the Football Stadium Improvement Project in the 1970's, and has worked tirelessly on several development campaigns for football. Hanson is currently working with the Wayne State Athletics Department on yet another fund raising project for Tartar football.
His interest and backing of Wayne's athletic program was honored two years ago when former teammate Irv Swider established the Victor G. Hanson Endowed Scholarship Fund at WSU. Each year a member of the football squad will receive financial aid in Hanson's name.
Hanson is also currently serving as Alumni King of the Gas House Gang, a position he's held since 1989. But perhaps his biggest influence on the University is his friendship with several of Wayne State's Governors. Hanson has been instrumental in selecting each Democratic Party candidate who runs for WSU's Board of Governors.
A long-time labor attorney and union supporter, Hanson and former Notre Dame football All-America Creighton Miller organized the NFL football players into its own union, the NFL Players Association, in the 1960's. The idea was originated by another WSU Hall of Famer, Joel Mason, who played several years in the NFL before coaching at Wayne.
Hanson's international fame, and what he considers one of his outstanding honors in life, came in the early 1970's when the media disclosed that he has been listed by former President Nixon on his infamous "Enemy's List." Though a local attorney and state activist, Hanson's listing suddenly propelled him to the international stage for several months, and many still remember that a U.S. President singled out Hanson as his "enemy."
His six-decade legal career has brought Hanson many other honors, including the highest rating in legal ability by Marindale-Hubbell, Inc.; he has been admitted to the "Who's Who in American Law" and "Who's Who in Practicing Attorneys"; and is a member of The Fellows of the Michigan State Bar Foundation.
Along with Judge Don Miller, one of the famous Four Horseman of Notre Dame, and other labor officials, Hanson helped create the Labor's International Hall of Fame in 1973 that is located on Wayne State's campus. He was presented the Hall's "Unsung Hero" Award in 1990.
Hanson and his wife, Laura, reside in Redford Township, Michigan.
