Roger S. Penske/Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame
Greg Falkenbach
- Induction:
- 2007
- Class:
- 1972
One of the greatest rebounders to ever don the Brown and White, Greg Falkenbach still holds the top two single-game records for rebounds, and two of the top three single-season season rebounding totals through the 2016-17 season. In 1969-70, he pulled down 360 boards; good for an average of 13.3 per game, while in 1970-71 the Bethlehem native averaged 12.1 rebounds per contest, pulling down a total of 316.
On January 31, 1970, Falkenbach snagged 25 rebounds versus Franklin & Marshall, while on December 19, 1970, he also pulled down 25 boards, this time versus Drexel. In the game against Drexel, Falkenbach not only dominated the backboards, he also added 18 points, the last two coming with one second remaining to lift the Brown and White to a 76-74 victory.
“I am so very honored to be a part of this group,” Falkenbach said. “The members of the Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame are outstanding individuals and it's pretty humbling to be one of a handful of men's basketball players to have been inducted.”
In the nearly 120-year history of Lehigh basketball (as of 2017), there have been four 300-plus rebound seasons, and Falkenbach owns two of them. His 924 career rebounds rank fourth all-time in school history, and he averaged 12.2 rebounds per game, despite only playing three varsity seasons because freshmen were not eligible for varsity competition at the time.
Falkenbach averaged a double-double for his career, scoring 11.8 points per game to go along with his average of 12.2 rebounds per game. At the time of his induction, he owned the highest rebounding per game average of the three players to average double-digit caroms over the course of their career. The other two are Falkenbach’s former teammate and Lehigh Hall of Famer, Bob Fortune '70 (11.1 rpg) and Bob Lowman (10.0 rpg).
“Greg took a lot of the pressure off of me as a senior because of the job he did rebounding for us,” Fortune said. “He was a strong force in the middle and really helped the team succeed with his skill and desire. Greg always thought highly of Lehigh University and he showed his dedication and desire in the way that he played. He has Lehigh blood flowing through his veins.”
“Greg always showed leadership through example,” said Norm Liedtke '74. “He practiced the right way. He was consistent. He looked out for the team and he never took a day off, whether that was on the practice floor or in the games.
“Greg was an effective scorer inside for us and most of his scoring and rebounding was based on positioning and being where he needed to be to make plays,” Liedtke added. “He wasn't a muscle guy. He wasn't the tallest guy out there, but he was a solid and dependable player.”
In addition, Falkenbach’s 12.2 rpg average is nearly 50 percent higher than Lehigh Hall of Famer Darren Queenan and Dozie Mbonu, two of the three players with more career rebounds than Falkenbach. Queenan and Mbonu both played the full four years at Lehigh, participating in 50 percent more games than Falkenbach throughout their careers.
While at Lehigh, Falkenbach helped lead the Brown and White to three consecutive seasons of 10 or more victories, something that had not been done in 58 years.
Falkenbach, who graduated from Lehigh with a B.S. in finance in 1972, has worked in the financial services industry and has owned his own financial practice since 1989. In 1982, he became a Chartered Life Underwriter, while in 1994 Falkenbach became a Chartered Financial Consultant.
Falkenbach continues to give back to the Lehigh community as well, serving as the radio color analyst for men's basketball games, a position he has held since 1981. He was the Lehigh Class of 1972 Alumni President from 1987 through 1992, and a long-standing member of the Lehigh Home Club serving as its president in 1984-85. In addition, Falkenbach has been the Chairman of the Lehigh Athletics Partnership annual Golf and Tennis Classic since 1998.
“Basketball was an integral part of my Lehigh education,” Falkenbach said. “The sport taught me preparation, teamwork, persistence and the importance of giving your best effort. I am honored to share this award with my teammates and all those who helped and encouraged me during my basketball career.”
Prior to arriving at Lehigh, Falkenbach attended nearby Bethlehem Catholic High School.
Falkenbach and his wife Nancy have two children, Lynn and Amy.
On January 31, 1970, Falkenbach snagged 25 rebounds versus Franklin & Marshall, while on December 19, 1970, he also pulled down 25 boards, this time versus Drexel. In the game against Drexel, Falkenbach not only dominated the backboards, he also added 18 points, the last two coming with one second remaining to lift the Brown and White to a 76-74 victory.
“I am so very honored to be a part of this group,” Falkenbach said. “The members of the Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame are outstanding individuals and it's pretty humbling to be one of a handful of men's basketball players to have been inducted.”
In the nearly 120-year history of Lehigh basketball (as of 2017), there have been four 300-plus rebound seasons, and Falkenbach owns two of them. His 924 career rebounds rank fourth all-time in school history, and he averaged 12.2 rebounds per game, despite only playing three varsity seasons because freshmen were not eligible for varsity competition at the time.
Falkenbach averaged a double-double for his career, scoring 11.8 points per game to go along with his average of 12.2 rebounds per game. At the time of his induction, he owned the highest rebounding per game average of the three players to average double-digit caroms over the course of their career. The other two are Falkenbach’s former teammate and Lehigh Hall of Famer, Bob Fortune '70 (11.1 rpg) and Bob Lowman (10.0 rpg).
“Greg took a lot of the pressure off of me as a senior because of the job he did rebounding for us,” Fortune said. “He was a strong force in the middle and really helped the team succeed with his skill and desire. Greg always thought highly of Lehigh University and he showed his dedication and desire in the way that he played. He has Lehigh blood flowing through his veins.”
“Greg always showed leadership through example,” said Norm Liedtke '74. “He practiced the right way. He was consistent. He looked out for the team and he never took a day off, whether that was on the practice floor or in the games.
“Greg was an effective scorer inside for us and most of his scoring and rebounding was based on positioning and being where he needed to be to make plays,” Liedtke added. “He wasn't a muscle guy. He wasn't the tallest guy out there, but he was a solid and dependable player.”
In addition, Falkenbach’s 12.2 rpg average is nearly 50 percent higher than Lehigh Hall of Famer Darren Queenan and Dozie Mbonu, two of the three players with more career rebounds than Falkenbach. Queenan and Mbonu both played the full four years at Lehigh, participating in 50 percent more games than Falkenbach throughout their careers.
While at Lehigh, Falkenbach helped lead the Brown and White to three consecutive seasons of 10 or more victories, something that had not been done in 58 years.
Falkenbach, who graduated from Lehigh with a B.S. in finance in 1972, has worked in the financial services industry and has owned his own financial practice since 1989. In 1982, he became a Chartered Life Underwriter, while in 1994 Falkenbach became a Chartered Financial Consultant.
Falkenbach continues to give back to the Lehigh community as well, serving as the radio color analyst for men's basketball games, a position he has held since 1981. He was the Lehigh Class of 1972 Alumni President from 1987 through 1992, and a long-standing member of the Lehigh Home Club serving as its president in 1984-85. In addition, Falkenbach has been the Chairman of the Lehigh Athletics Partnership annual Golf and Tennis Classic since 1998.
“Basketball was an integral part of my Lehigh education,” Falkenbach said. “The sport taught me preparation, teamwork, persistence and the importance of giving your best effort. I am honored to share this award with my teammates and all those who helped and encouraged me during my basketball career.”
Prior to arriving at Lehigh, Falkenbach attended nearby Bethlehem Catholic High School.
Falkenbach and his wife Nancy have two children, Lynn and Amy.
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