National Football Foundation

Paul Benke started at right end and kicker for the Scarlet Knights from 1959-60. He played a critical role on a Rutgers squad that went 6-3 and 8-1 during his two years along the banks of the Raritan River. Benke went an impressive 5-for-5 in extra points and one field goal. In 1959, he landed a spot on the Academic All-America team.

In addition to his contribution to the Scarlet Knights football program, Benke played on the varsity lacrosse team. He served as president of his class for two years, student council treasurer and chairman of the Campus Chest drive. Benke again proved his academic prowess in 1959 when he was appointed as the president of Crown and Skull, an academic honors club. Upon graduation, Benke received a four-year tuition scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania Medical School, where he completed his education before receiving his Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin.

Benke made his way to Florida where he was an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Miami Medical School for over 28 years. While there, he also taught courses in the department of biochemistry and molecular biology. His research on genetic diseases, including lupus, the CHARGE syndrome and cerebellar ataxia, has been widely published over the course of his career. Benke practices in Medical Genetics and as an Internist/Pediatrician in the Hollywood, Florida area.