Three Big Ten Schools Send Former Players to College Football Hall of Fame




April 30, 2009

Three Big Ten institutions will be sending former student-athletes into the College Football Hall of Fame, as Iowa’s Larry Station, Ohio State’s Chris Spielman and Penn State’s Curt Warner were named part of the 2009 class today.
 
Station played linebacker for the Hawkeyes from 1982-85 and was a three-time All-Big Ten selection and two-time All-American, including earning unanimous honors in 1985. He will become the 14th Iowa player or coach to enter the College Football Hall of Fame and the first former player since quarterback Chuck Long in 1999.

Spielman also manned the linebacker spot for the Buckeyes from 1984-87. He was a three-time All-Big Ten choice and two-time All-American, including unanimous selection in 1987. Spielman will be the 28th OSU player or coach in the College Football Hall of Fame and the second former player selected in the last three years after quarterback Rex Kern was honored in 2007.

Warner set 42 school records as a running back for the Nittany Lions from 1979-82, including the career rushing mark of 3,398 yards which still stands. He helped lead Penn State to its first national championship in 1982 and was a two-time All-American. Warner will be the 22nd PSU player or coach to enter the College Football Hall of Fame and the first former player since offensive tackle Keith Dorney in 2005.

The Big Ten will hold the 2009 Football Media Days and 38th annual Kickoff Luncheon on Monday and Tuesday, July 27-28, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, featuring all 11 head coaches and some of the conference’s top returning players. The 114th season of Big Ten football kicks off beginning with every team in action on Sept. 3 or 5.