He was one of the inaugural inductees to the United States Handball Association's Hall of Fame in 1954.

[2] The son of a Lithuanian immigrant, Platak grew up in Chicago, a handball hotbed.

During the early part of his voluntary naval service, he was not allowed to travel to defend his national title.

Not until Naty Alvarado did any other player win as many four-wall titles in national open singles play.

Platak was a four-wall player who dominated the sport in the 1930s, winning nine national singles championships from 1935–1945, beating every opponent in just two games.