Joe Surniak '79 graduated from Baldwin-Wallace in 1979 and was inducted in to the Alumni Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 1994.

Surniak was an outstanding all-around athlete and helped to lead B-W to it's only football national championship. During his athletic career at B-W, Surniak was regarded as one of the finest quarterbacks in football, and catchers in baseball. He is known to be one of the most outstanding leaders ever to play for the Brown and Gold.

A native of Fairview Park. Surniak played four years of both football and baseball for the yellow jackets.

In football, Surniak was a three-year letterman, and two-year starter at quarterback. Surniak was also named team captain in 1978. During that year, Surniak led B-W to the NCAA Division III National Championship. In leading the Yellow Jackets to a 11-0-1 record, and a tie for the OAC that season. Surniak completed 114 of 200 passes for 1,336 yards and 10 touchdowns. In addition, Surniak rushed for 389 yards and 10 more touchdowns. For his efforts, Surniak was a first-team All-OAC pick. B-W's Most Valuable Offensive Back and the Player of the Year as selected by the Cleveland Touchdown Club.

In the 1978 Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl national championship game, Surniak completed 16 of 24 passes for 186 yards and scored two touchdowns in a 24-10 victory over arch rival Wittenburg University. For his efforts, Surniak was named Chevrolet Player of the Game. Overall, in three NCAA Division III playoff games, Surniak set a record for the most completions with 44.

During his B-W career, Surniak passed for 2,470 yards and 18 touchdowns and ran for 1,336 yards and 10 touchdowns.

In baseball, Surniak was a four-year letterman and a two time All-OAC selection as a catcher. During his career on the diamond, Surniak was the 1976 Most Outstanding Freshman, and set a school record for the most putouts in a single season by a catcher in 1979. In 1977, Surniak led the team in walks and triples.

Currently, Surniak works for Baxter Health Care Company, and resides in Strongsville with his wife Kim, and thier two children.