John Smith, you have distinguished yourself as the most outstanding football player to ever play for Worcester State College and you established many individual records, 16 of which still stand today and will stand for many years to come.

You were a captain of the first varsity football team that capped an amazing undefeated season with a 5-0 record and was ranked as high as 5th in New England. You were twice selected the winner of the prestigious Golden Helmet Award as the top player of the week in New England. You rushed for 232 yards and scored two touchdowns against Nichols in 1986 and you rushed for 200 yards and scored four touchdowns against Framingham State in 1987.

In 1986 you were the leading rusher in the New England Football Conference (NEFC) with 1,150 yards, an average of 127.8 per game, and finished 14th in the nation in rushing. You were selected the ECAC Player of the Week numerous times.

Your leadership abilities were evident as you were a captain of the team three straight years and were named NEFC All Conference three times. You were an All New England Honorable Mention All Star in 1986 and were named honorable mention to the All American and Pizza Hut All Star teams in 1987.

Your individual records are too numerous to mention but some of the highlights include rushing for 2,608 career yards in just 25 games, an average of 113 yards per game for your career, and scoring an amazing 198 career points as you scored 32 touchdowns. You scored 28 points in a single game and rushed for 239 yards against William Paterson in 1985. During your career you carried the ball 564 times in 25 games for an amazing 22.5 carries each game. The Lancers were 16-7 in your three years and won the South Division of the NEFC in 1987 with a 7-2 record.

Perhaps the most fitting tribute to your excellent career was when you were named the recipient of the Hal Chalmers Academic Award presented to the top student-athlete in the New England Football Conference in 1987.

You are currently employed by F. N. Murphy Properties as an equipment operator.

John Smith, it is with great pride that we induct you into the Worcester State College Athletic Hall of Fame.