Cal State East Bay University Athletics

Blankenship was an outstanding two-sport athlete for the Pioneers. He was a two-time All American and selected Far Western Conference Defensive Player of the Year in football. Blankenship went on to play professional football for the Oakland Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers. In track and field, Blankenship was a National Champion in 1974 and a three-time All American in the hammer. Blankenship led the Pioneer men’s track and field team to a pair of Far Western Conference Titles and a pair of fifth place finishes at the NCAA II Track and Field Championships in 1975 and 1976.