Brad Stramanak’s athletic career too often was a case of battles with wounded knees.
Beginning while he was a football and wrestling standout at Westmont Hilltop High School, and continuing throughout his football career at the United States Naval Academy, Stramanak had six knee surgeries, including complete reconstruction surgery once on each knee.
At 5-11, 220 pounds in his playing days at the Naval Academy, Stramanak was a punishing runner and blocker who was counted on to get the tough yards from his fullback position. He scored 10 rushing touchdowns as a senior in 1993 and 16 for his career with the Midshipmen. His career rushing average was 3.8 yards a carry.
Stramanak officially will be inducted into the Cambria County Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2020 on October 16 following two previous postponements related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a freshman, Stramanak scored a touchdown vs. rival Army in two different games, first in the plebe game, and then on a 45-yard run in the varsity game.
Stramanak, 50, is married, with five sons, the eldest 24 and the youngest, 12. He served in the Navy into 2000, both on surface ships and in submarines.
These days, Stramanak still lives in Annapolis, Md., and is a sales manager in the Washington, D.C., market for Johnson Controls.
Among Stramank’s career highlights:
- Had 16 career rushing touchdowns at the U.S. Naval Academy, and averaged 3.8 yards a carry, netting 768 yards on 200 career carries.
- As a freshman scored touchdowns vs. Army both in the freshman game and in the varsity game.
- Three-year starter at fullback.
- Had 17 pass receptions his senior season.
- His 45-yard touchdown run vs. Army in 1990 was the longest by a Navy back that season.
- Missed 1992 season due to knee surgery.
- Football and wrestling standout at Westmont Hilltop High School, graduating in 1989. Was second-team all-state football selection at linebacker in 1988.
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