MORRISTOWN, NJ – May 10, 2004 – Jon F. Hanson, Chairman of The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame (NFF), announced today the Divisional Hall of Fame Class for 2004, which includes players and coaches from NCAA Divisions I-AA, II, III, and the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics).

“Since the first Divisional Class was elected in 1996, 61 outstanding All-Americas and 26 coaches have been recognized with college football’s highest honor,” said Hanson. “On behalf of the board of directors, members of our four Divisional Honors Courts, and our more than 13,000 members nationwide, we look forward to celebrating the accomplishments of these remarkable individuals.”

This year’s Class will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame during Enshrinement Ceremonies at the Hall, August 13-14, in South Bend, Indiana. The class includes:






2004 College Football Hall of Fame Divisional Class

HONOREE BIOGRAPHIES

Harold Davis
Westminster College (PA)
Back, 1953-56

One of the greatest athletes of his era, Harold Davis helped guide Westminster College to near flawless success and now joins former Titans Larry Pugh and coaches Harold Burry and Joe Fusco as members of the College Football Hall of Fame.

The first three-time First Team NAIA All-America in school history, Davis anchored an offense that paced Westminster to a 28-1-1 career record. A versatile back who starred at both running and passing the ball, Davis led the Titans to their first three undefeated seasons (1953, 1955-56) in the program’s history.

At 6’1”, 200 lbs., Davis was also a great talent on the basketball court for Westminster. Scoring over 1,200 career points, he ranks 17th all-time in school history and was inducted into the Titan Sports Hall of Fame for his prowess in both sports.

Following graduation in 1957, Davis embarked on a highly successful career as a businessman and entrepreneur. A former top executive with Xerox, he is currently president of H & S Consulting.

Darrell Green
Texas A&M University – Kingsville (formerly Texas A&I)
Defensive Back, 1978, 1980-82

A college legend, NFL star and philanthropic leader, Darrell Green has succeeded greatly in every facet of his athletic career. A two-sport standout in football and track & field for Texas A&I, he quickly earned the reputation as one of the world’s fastest athletes.

A First Team All-America and Lone Star Conference MVP in 1982, Green was a two-time First Team All-Conference selection. The team captain in 1982, Green’s sheer speed and tenacious coverage at defensive back earned him a place on the conference’s Team of the Decade for the 1980s.

In track & field, Green set numerous national and conference records en route to being named All-America 10 times over four years. Following graduation, Green was selected in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins. In 20 seasons, all with Washington, he was a member of two Super Bowl teams, earned seven All-Pro recognitions, and was named NFL Fastest Man four times and NFL/True Value Man of the Year once.

A community minded individual, he founded the Darrell Green Youth Life Foundation, which creates doors of opportunity for children living in insecure environments. He serves on the board for the 2012 Olympic Games bidding committee, NFL/NFLPA Sept. 11 Relief Fund and the Loudon Education Foundation. In 2003, President Bush created a new council named the “President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation” designed to promote service to the needy and named Green its chairman.

Garney Henley
Huron University (SD)
Running Back, 1956-59

Nicknamed the “Hayti Hurricane,” Garney Henley took the NAIA by storm in the 1950s and became one of the greatest athletes ever to come out of the State of South Dakota.

A First Team NAIA All-America in 1959 and Third Team performer in 1958, Henley ran over, through and around opponents, helping Huron College to a 27-5-2 record during his four years on the gridiron. A slashing runner with a talent for finding the end zone, Henley set NAIA career records with 394 points scored and over 4,000 rushing yards. In Sports Illustrated’s recent listing of “The Top 50 Greatest Sports Figures of the 20th Century from the State of South Dakota”, Henley ranked third.

Gifted in the classroom as well, Henley was a frequent member of the Huron Dean’s List. Following graduation in 1959, he was drafted by the NFL’s Green Bay Packers, but decided on a career in the Canadian Football League. After 16 seasons with the Hamilton Tigercats of the CFL, Henley was named to their All-Time Team and inducted into the CFL Hall of Fame.

Since his playing career ended, Henley has never been far from athletics. He has served as a head college basketball coach, CFL football coach, CFL general manager and most recently, director of athletics at his alma mater.

Jackie Hunt
Marshall University (WV)
Back, 1938-41

Long before Randy Moss and Chad Pennington became the face of Marshall football, Jackie Hunt was the most celebrated and revered of the Thundering Herd. A talented two-way back, he set numerous records while marking his place in Marshall lore.

A two-time First Team All-America selection (1940-41), Hunt scored 27 touchdowns in 1940, setting an NCAA record that would be held for 31 years. His 162 points scored in 1940 set a Marshall record that wasn’t broken until 1996. Amassing 1,956 career rushing yards and numerous others as a return man and receiver, NCAA estimates make Hunt the first ever to reach 3,000 career all-purpose yards.

A participant in the 1940 North-South Game and College All-Star Game selection, Hunt became the first person elected to the Marshall Sports Hall of Fame.

Following his collegiate career, Hunt was drafted into the US Army for World War II. Upon his return in 1945, Hunt was drafted by the Chicago Bears of the AFL and spent two seasons in professional football. A constant supporter and loyal booster of the Marshall athletics program over the years, he was inducted into the West Virginia Sports Writers Hall of Fame in 1976. Hunt died in 1991 at the age of 71.

Dan Ross
Northeastern University (MA)
Tight End, 1975-78

Arguably the greatest player ever to don a Northeastern University football jersey, Dan Ross set numerous single-season and career receiving records and now becomes the first Husky to enter the College Football Hall of Fame.

Named First Team All-America in 1978, Ross earned the Bulger Lowe Award as the outstanding player in New England and the Harry Agganis Award as New England’s outstanding senior. Selected team captain, he was recognized as All-New England and All-East Region in 1978. Although regarded as a stellar blocker, Ross’ pass catching abilities vaulted him to stardom. In four years, he set Northeastern records for single-season receptions (68), career receptions (153), single-season receiving yards (988) and career receiving yards (2,343). After his final game, the school officially retired his #84 jersey.

Following graduation in 1980, Ross played for a total of 10 years in professional football in both the NFL and the USFL, earning All-Star recognition in both leagues. In 1983, he set a Super Bowl record with 11 receptions as his Cincinnati Bengals fell to the San Francisco 49ers.

Successful in business and active in the community, Ross is currently the owner and president of Power House Supply, but he still finds time to coach Pop Warner Football and participate in charity golf tournaments.

William Stromberg
Johns Hopkins University (MD)
Wide Receiver, 1978-81

One of the finest wide receivers in NCAA Division III history, Bill Stromberg set six national and 13 school records. Already a member of the Johns Hopkins Hall of Fame, he now becomes the first Blue Jay to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

A two-time First Team All-America selection (1980-81), Stromberg twice led the nation in receiving and was twice named Middle Atlantic Conference MVP. A four-time First Team All-Conference selection, he set school and NCAA Division III career records for receptions (258), receiving yards (3,776) and touchdowns (39).

A talented athlete, Stromberg helped lead the Johns Hopkins baseball team to two conference titles and set four school stolen base and runs records.

Following graduation in 1982, Stromberg was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles, becoming only the third player in Johns Hopkins history to play in the NFL. When his playing career ended, Stromberg earned his MBA from Dartmouth College and currently enjoys a career as a stock analyst and fund manager for T. Rowe Price Associates.

Coach Thomas Beck
Illinois Benedictine College (1970-74), Elmhurst College (1976-83),
Grand Valley State University (1985-90)
Head Coach, 137-52-1, .724

For nearly 20 years, Coach Thomas Beck roamed the sidelines in the Midwest. Possessing a win percentage of .724, Beck guided two slumping programs, Illinois Benedictine and Elmhurst to new heights and returned Grand Valley State to past glory.

Prior to Beck’s arrival, Illinois Benedictine had recorded 18 consecutive losing seasons. In Beck’s five years at the helm, the Eagles went 37-12-1, ranked in the national top 10 twice, and twice led the nation in total offense. Elmhurst had only two winning seasons in its last 23 when Beck arrived in 1976. In eight seasons, his Blue Jays went 50-22, ranked in the national top 15 five times and won two conference titles. Grand Valley State was coming off a 0-10 season when Beck made his final collegiate coaching stop. In six seasons, the Lakers went 50-18, with two conference titles and two national playoff appearances.

In all, Beck had a total record of 137-52-1 with four conference titles and four conference Coach of the Year honors. In 1989, his GVSU team finished the regular season a perfect 11-0 and ranked third in the national poll.

Active in the football community off the field, Beck has been a guest lecturer at many football clinics as well as at high schools, churches, civic banquets and athletic programs.

Coach Charlie Richard
Baker University (KS)
Head Coach, 1980-90, 1992-94
123-28-1, .812

An extraordinary leader with a remarkable record, Coach Charlie Richard used his great knowledge and fatherly style to guide Baker University to great success. Although his career was cut tragically short, Richard’s winning legacy forever remains.

Richard led Baker to a record of 123-28-1 and an NAIA best winning percentage of .813. In 14 seasons, he guided the Wildcats to at least a share of 11 Heart of America Athletic Conference titles, 10 NAIA National Playoff appearances and a victory in the 1985 Sunflower Bowl. Baker’s teams won at least nine games nine times and, at the end of the 1994 season, had been ranked in the NAIA Top-25 poll for 128 consecutive weeks. Possessing the best winning percentage in school history, Richard coached 32 All-Americas and 25 Academic All-Americas.

Prior to arriving at Baker, Richard was a teacher, coach and athletic administrator for 18 years at the high school level. As an undergraduate in college, he quarterbacked William Jewell College to the NAIA National Championship.

Dedicated to his work until the very end, Richard collapsed and died of a heart attack during a recruiting meeting with his coaching staff in 1994 at the age of 53.

Coach Dick Strahm
University of Findlay (OH)
Head Coach, 1975-98
183-64-5, .746

One of the most successful coaches in NAIA history, Dick Strahm lifted the University of Findlay football program to national prominence in over two decades at the helm. With 183 victories and a .736 winning percentage, he is the winningest coach in school history.

With unprecedented success at Findlay, Strahm recorded a remarkable 22 winning campaigns in 24 seasons. Since 1975, Findlay won at least a share of 13 conference titles, made 13 NAIA National Playoff appearances and reached the pinnacle of NAIA success with four National Championships. He coached 38 NAIA All-Americas, 16 NAIA scholar-athletes and one NAIA Player of the Year.

All of Findlay’s success has not come without personal accolades for Strahm. He has been named NAIA District 22 Coach of the Year an amazing 12 times, Hoosier-Buckeye Conference Coach of the Year nine times, Mid-State Football Association Coach of the Year twice and NAIA’s top coaching honor, National Coach of the Year four times.

Devoting much of his life to football, Strahm has coached 10 years on the high school level and served as assistant coach at the University of Toledo and Kansas State University prior to coming to Findlay.

With 119 chapters and over 13,000 members nationwide, The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, a not-for-profit educational organization, runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement in America’s young people. NFF programs include the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind., PLAY IT SMART, The NFF Center for Youth Development Through Sport at Springfield College (Mass.), the NFL-NFF Coaching Academy, and scholarships of nearly $1 million for College and High School Scholar-Athletes.