Jan. 21, 2005
Columbia, S.C. –
Former University of South Carolina All-American and professional running back George Rogers is the recipient of the Walter Camp Football Foundation “Alumnus of the Year” award. Rogers joins a distinguished list of former “Alumni of the Year” winners, including Alan Page (Notre Dame), Archie Griffin (Ohio State), Tony Dorsett (Pittsburgh), Herschel Walker (Georgia) and last year’s recipient Mark May (Pittsburgh).
The Walter Camp “Alumnus of the Year” award is bestowed on a worthy individual who has distinguished himself in the pursuit of excellence as an athlete, in his personal career and in doing good works for others. He must be an individual who has exhibited dedication and good moral conduct in achieving success. He must be a compassionate and unselfish person who contributes his time and assistance in helping to encourage and comfort fellow human beings less talented and less fortunate than himself. He must be an individual who takes pride in having been a Walter Camp All-American.
Rogers had an impressive collegiate career for the Gamecocks, totaling school records in rushing yards (5,204) and touchdowns (33). After rushing for 1,681 yards in his junior season, he followed up with an outstanding senior campaign in 1980. A consensus All-American (including Walter Camp) and the Heisman Trophy recipient, Rogers rushed for 1,894 yards and 14 touchdowns for the 8-4 Gamecocks, who earned a berth in the Gator Bowl.
The New Orleans Saints selected Rogers with the first pick in the 1981 NFL Draft. Rogers went on to play seven seasons in the NFL – four with the Saints, and three with the Washington Redskins – accumulating 7,176 rushing yards and 54 touchdowns. In his first season, he led the NFL in rushing with 1,674 yards and was named Rookie of the Year. Rogers rushed for 1,000 yards in four of his seven NFL seasons, and was a member of the 1988 Super Bowl-champion Redskins.
In 1997, Rogers was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Extremely active in the community, Rogers established the George Rogers Foundation, which provides scholarships for students in need of financial assistance who are attending the University of South Carolina. The Foundation also provides resources with the community to assist in the development and advancement of youths.
Rogers currently resides in South Carolina with his wife Lynn. They have three children, sons Brandon (23) and Tray (20), and daughter Lashaon (22).
Rogers as well as all of the major award winners and members of the 2004 Walter Camp All-America team, will be honored at the organization’s 38th annual national awards banquet on Saturday, February 12 at the Yale University Commons in New Haven. In addition, the Foundation will hold its annual Fan Fest on Friday, February 11 at the Connecticut SportsPlex in North Branford from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Dinner ($250.00) and Fan Fest ($10.00) tickets can be purchased by calling (203) 288-CAMP or toll-free (866) 444-CAMP.
