USHA Hall of Fame Induction: 1954

The record book shows that Platak, representing Chicago’s Lake Shore Club, won seven national four-wall singles championships in a row, added two more after Navy service in World War II, and took two doubles titles. Not until Naty Alvarado did any other player win as many four-wall titles in national Open singles play.

Never in his nine singles victories was he pushed to three games and only once did an opponent score more points in the second game than in the first.

In 1937, when Joe was at his peak, he went on an exhibition tour. He played 136 games in 21 days in 17 clubs in 13 cities and nine states, covering some 3,000 miles on the trip. He didn’t lose a game in singles or doubles!

National Handball Championships

1935 Four-Wall Singles Champion
1936 Four-Wall Singles Champion
1937 Four-Wall Singles Champion
1937 Four-Wall Doubles Champion
1938 Four-Wall Singles Champion
1939 Four-Wall Singles Champion
1940 Four-Wall Singles Champion
1941 Four-Wall Singles Champion
1943 Four-Wall Singles Champion
1944 Four-Wall Doubles Champion
1945 Four-Wall Singles Champion