Member Biography

Gary J. Beban excelled in academics and football, the epitome of the National Football Foundation Scholar- Athlete. As UCLA quarterback, he was all-conference three times and helped his team to a 24-5-2 record. He set a school record for total offense that lasted 15 years. As a sophomore he threw two touchdown passes in the last four minutes to beat Southern California 20-16. In the Rose Bowl, Beban scored two touchdowns in UCLA's 14-12 victory over the number one ranked Michigan State Spartans. As a senior he was a unanimous All-American and winner of the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Trophy and Washington Touchdown Club Trophy. He majored in European history and his academic progress was stunning. In 1967 he was a National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete and recipient of the Dolly Cohen award. That award, given by the Greater Cincinnati Chapter of the Foundation, goes to the player who best combines football and academic achievement. Gary played two years with the Washington Redskins then launched a career in business.