Hall of Fame
Darrell Van Lengen, considered by many to be the best offensive tackle in school history, paved the way for many record holders for Griffon football from 1976- 1979.
He began his college career on the Missouri Western football team in 1976 after a standout career at Cedar Falls High School in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Van Lengen became the leader on what many consider to be one of the elite offenses in Missouri Western history. Behind Darrell, the Griffons set individual game, season and career marks in Rushing, Passing, Pass Receiving, Total Offense and
Scoring. Darrell opened gaping holes in defenses for former superstar running backs Jay Randall and Rodney Stephenson, while providing untouchable pass protection for quarterback greats Mike Soloman and Bob Heimbaugh. Randall and Heimbaugh are members of the Missouri Western Hall of Fame.
As a heralded lineman in his senior year, Van Lengen was named captain for the 79’ season. His hard work and dedication to be the best in the trenches earned him NAIA All-District 16 (1978 and 1979) and CSIC All-Conference (1979).
Darrell graduated from Missouri Western in May of 1980 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Data Processing and an Associate’s Degree in Mid-Management with and Accounting Emphasis. Upon graduation he started as an Associate Programmer for Marathon Oil Company in Findlay Ohio. Darrell demonstrated the same leadership qualities he possessed at Western and soon was promoted to Senior Advanced Programmer. In 1986, he accepted a Programmer Analyst position at Yellow Freight in Overland Park, Kansas.
Currently, Darrell is a manager of Systems Development for Yellow Roadway Technologies (formerly know as Yellow Freight) and a Deacon at Blue Valley Baptist Church in Overland Park.
Darrell and his wife, Timi of 24 years, have two daughters, Nicole and Haley.
