Ric Lainhart had many different roles during his athletic career at Otterbein. However, his biggest accomplishments came as a defensive end for the Cardinal football team. The Columbus native established himself on the defensive side of the ball, becoming a three-year starter and finishing his career with a spot on the Associated Press All-America team in 1979.

Lainhart earned first-team All-Ohio Athletic Conference honors in both 1978 and 1979. In 1978, he finished the season as the team’s leading tackler with 109 total tackles, including a single-game high of 16 against Muskingum. During his All-American senior season in 1979, he also served as a co-captain.

One of this other roles came in 1977, when he served as the team’s punter and averaged 34.1 yards on 48 punts. His overall contributions helped the Cardinals to a 22-12-2 mark during his four seasons. Come springtime he switched roles again, spending multiple seasons as leftfielder/designated hitter with the Otterbein baseball team.