Abilene Reporter News Coverage of Rowland

McMurry’s all-time leading rusher, Brad Rowland, was announced Wednesday as an inductee into the 2008 College Football Hall of Fame along with three other players and two coaches. Archie Manning, the chairman of The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame announced the Divisional Hall of Fame Class Wednesday, which considers players and coaches from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA), Division II, III and the NAIA for induction.

Rowland played his final season for McMurry in 1950, however, his 4,347 rushing yards still stands as McMurry’s career record 58 years later. The Hamlin native led the Texas Conference in rushing all four seasons and helped McMurry to three consecutive conference titles from 1947-1949.

He still holds the single-season rushing record for a 10-game season at McMurry after running for 1,279 yards his junior year. That same season he scored 18 touchdowns and his 108 points is a single-season school record. He also holds the career record for career points with 258 equaling 43 touchdowns in four seasons.

Rowland was all-conference all four season and was recognized for his academic success when he was named Who’s Who Among American College and University Students. He went on to a 1-year career with the Chicago Bears in the National Football League before serving two years in the U.S. Army. He later worked in agribusiness for 40 years. He was recognized as the first small-college player to start in the East-West Shrine Game following his senior season.

Also joining Rowland as the 2008-induction class is Jim Ballard (QB, Mount Union College), Ronald McKinnon (LB, University of North Alabama), John Randle (DE, Texas A&M Kingsville), coach W.C. Gorden (Jackson State University), and coach Doug Porter (Mississippi Valley State, Howard, Fort Valley State).

This year’s class will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame during the Enshrinement Festival, July 18-19, in South Bend, Ind.

“The NFF prides itself on honoring the very best in college football history,” said Manning. “This year’s divisional class is no exception, and it’s our duty to reward them for their outstanding accomplishments on the gridiron, earning them a spot among the greatest to ever play or coach our sport.”

The criteria for induction includes being named a first team all-American, being 10 years removed from intercollegiate football, and post record as a citizen among other qualities.

Rowland was a six-time all-America selection while at McMurry and was a charter member of the McMurry Athletics Hall of Honor in 1984.