MORRISTOWN, NJ, April 21, 2005 – Jon F. Hanson, Chairman of The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF), announced the Divisional Hall of Fame Class for 2005, which includes players and coaches from NCAA Divisions I-AA, II, III, and the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics).

“We are pleased to announce the 10th College Football Hall of Fame Divisional Class since the election process expanded in 1996 to include players from all divisions,” said Hanson. “The legacy and accomplishments of these remarkable individuals will be celebrated at Enshrinement Festivities at the Hall in South Bend this August.”

This year’s class will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame during Enshrinement Ceremonies at the Hall, August 12-13, in South Bend, Indiana.

2005 College Football Hall of Fame Divisional Class

In order for a player to be eligible for College Football Hall of Fame consideration, they must have received First Team All-America status by a selector that is recognized by the NCAA; played their last year of intercollegiate football within the last 50 years, but no fewer than 10 years ago; and be currently retired from playing on the professional level. Coaches become eligible three years after retirement provided he was a head coach for a minimum of 10 years and coached at least 100 games with a .600 winning percentage.

In both cases, a nominee’s post football record as a citizen is also weighed. He must have proven himself worthy as a citizen, carrying the ideals of football forward into his relations with his community and his fellow man with love of his country. Consideration may also be given for academic honors and whether or not the candidate earned a college degree.

HONOREE BIOGRAPHIES

Mike Barber
Marshall University (W.Va.)
Wide Receiver, 1985-88

One of the greatest players ever to wear a Marshall University uniform, Mike Barber will become only the second player in school history to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

A two-time First Team All-America selection, Barber was named National Player of the Year in 1988 by the American Football Coaches Association. The Thundering Herd’s first three-time First Team All-Conference pick, he led the nation in receiving while setting single-season conference records with 106 receptions and 1,757 yards in 1987.

The Southern Conference’s all-time career leader in receptions (249) and receiving yards (4,262), Barber was voted Marshall’s Athlete of the Decade for the 1980s. Prior to graduation, Barber was selected in the fourth round of the 1989 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. Following a five-year professional football career, Barber has become a successful businessman in West Virginia.

A community minded individual, Barber maintains a very active role in local affairs while serving as a coach and member of the board of directors for Little League Baseball and youth basketball.

Kirk Baumgartner
University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point
Quarterback, 1986-89

Arguably the best quarterback in NAIA history, Wisconsin – Stevens Point’s Kirk Baumgartner rewrote the national, conference and school record books while guiding the Pointers to three playoff appearances. In August, he will become the school’s first player inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

The school’s only three-time First Team NAIA All-America selection, Baumgartner currently ranks as the NAIA’s all-time career passing yards leader with 14,847 yards. A two-time NAIA National Player of the Year, he owns three of the top seven greatest single-season passing performances in NAIA history.

With 122 career-touchdown passes, Baumgartner ranks in the top five, among all divisions of play, in college football history. A three-time First Team All-Conference pick, he was twice named conference Player of the Year.

Drafted in the ninth round of the 1990 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers, Baumgartner was inducted into the Wisconsin – Stevens Point Athletic Hall of Fame.

Leo Lewis
Lincoln University (Mo.)
Running Back, 1951-54

A dominating running back, Lincoln’s Leo Lewis compiled huge rushing statistics in an era when big numbers by a rusher were uncommon. Leading the Blue Tigers to a 27-5-3 record in his collegiate career, he went on to become one of the greatest professional players in Canadian Football League history.

A two-time First Team All-America selection, Lewis rewrote the Lincoln record books. At 5-foot-10, 185-pounds, he smashed school all-time records for touchdowns in a season (22), touchdowns in a career (64), rushing yards in a season (1,239) and career rushing yards (4,457).

Following graduation in 1954, Lewis was drafted by the Baltimore Colts of the National Football League, but it was in the CFL that he made his greatest mark. In 11 seasons with Winnipeg, he earned All-Pro honors six times solidifying is position among the league’s all-time best and securing him a place in the CFL Hall of Fame.

A very active and devoted community member, Lewis participates in the National Youth Sports Program and is a member of the Mason, Kiwanis and Imperial Clubs. After his playing days ended, he enjoyed short stints as Lincoln’s head football and women’s basketball coach.

Willie Totten
Mississippi Valley State University
Quarterback, 1982-85

A Mississippi Valley State legend and half of one of the greatest quarterback / wide receiver duos in Division I-AA history, Willie “Satellite” Totten passed himself into the all-time national record books and continues to make a difference at the university today.

Becoming Mississippi Valley State’s first College Football Hall of Fame inductee, Totten earned First Team All-America status in 1984 after leading the nation and setting the all-time single-season touchdown passes mark (56) for all divisions.

With 139 career touchdown passes, Totten is Division I-AA’s all-time leader and ranks second in career passing yards (12,711) and single-season passing yards (4,557 in 1984). Owning numerous MVSU passing and total offense records, he twice led the nation in passing efficiency. Five times in Totten’s career he passed for more than 530 yards in a single game, including a 599-yard performance in 1984 vs. Prairie View – the third best single-game performance in Division I-AA history.

Following a brief professional career in the Canadian and Arena Football Leagues, Totten earned his master’s degree from Grambling before becoming the 14th head football coach in MVSU history in 2001.

Coach Roger Harring
University of Wisconsin – La Crosse (1969-99)
Head Coach, 261-75-7, .771

A staple of the Wisconsin - La Crosse football program for more than three decades, Roger Harring guided the Eagles to heights the university had never before seen while establishing the Eagles as a perennial national power.

Named National Coach of the Year in 1995, Harring guided UW-L to three national championship seasons while becoming the first coach to win NAIA and Division III national titles in his career. His 261 victories currently rank him 12th all-time among all divisions in college football history and fourth among only Division III coaches.

Twenty-five times in 31 years Harring’s teams finished first or second in their conference, including 15 conference titles and 14 national playoff appearances. Named conference Coach of the Year seven times, he has amassed the most coaching victories in school and conference history.

During his tenure, Harring compiled an overall record of 261-75-7 for a win percentage of .771, another school best. He is a member of the NAIA District 14, Wisconsin – La Crosse Athletic, Wisconsin High School Football Coaches and Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln High School Halls of Fame.

Coach Frosty Westering
Parsons College (IA) (1962-63), Lea College (MN) (1966-71), Pacific Lutheran University (WA) (1972-2003)
Head Coach, 305-96-7, .756

A coaching icon, Frosty Westering roamed the sidelines for 40 years, the last 32 at the helm of Pacific Lutheran University, and amassed 305 total victories, an all-time NAIA coaching record.

After short stints at Parsons and Lea Colleges, Westering began his legendary accent up the coaching ladder at PLU. In 32 years, he led the Lutes to four national championships, 19 national playoff appearances and 10 conference titles.

A three-time National Coach of the Year award recipient and six-time conference Coach of the Year honoree, Westering coached 26 First Team All-Americas and was a member of the Hula Bowl coaching staff in 2000.

A dedicated member of his local community, Westering received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Athletes for a Better World. A member of the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame, he received the John and Nell Wooden Humanitarian Award in 2004 and serves as keynote speaker for the United Way, March of Dimes and Tacoma Hospital Organization.

With 119 chapters and over 12,000 members nationwide, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame, a non-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 annual scholarships of nearly $1 million for college and high school scholar-athletes.