A native of South Boston, Massachusetts, Plansky attended Georgetown University, where he was a star fullback and decathlete.

[2] Planksy was also an accomplished triple jumper, placing 3rd at the 1922 and 1923 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

In his second season, he scored nine touchdowns, two field goals, and two extra points, and was named to the 1929 All-Pro Team.

[11] One of Plansky's athletes at Williams was future New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, a hurdler who graduated in 1952.

In 1987, thanks in large part to the efforts of Steinbrenner, a new track was installed at Williams, and named in memory of Plansky.