Chris Babirad

Last updated
Chris Babirad
Washington & Jefferson CollegeNo. 24 [1]
PositionRunning back
Class1994 [2]
Career history
High school Bentworth High School
Career highlights and awards
  • Kodak All-American (1992)
  • USA Today Player of the Year (1992)
  • W&J Athletics Hall of Fame (Class of 1999)

Chris Babirad is a former college football player for Washington & Jefferson College. During his playing career, he was one of the most prominent NCAA Division III football players, gaining national attention and honors.

He owns every major rushing and scoring record in Washington & Jefferson football history. [1]

He is considered to be one of the greatest athletes in Washington & Jefferson athletic history; his name is mentioned among Pete Henry and Dan Towler as candidates for all-time greatest athlete at the college. [3]

He gained 4,419 career regular-season yards, which is the 20th best in NCAA Division III history; his 10.7 points per game are 11th in NCAA history. [2] During his playing career, he was named First Team All-Presidents' Athletic Conference twice and as a Kodak and Champion All-American in 1992. [2] In 1992, he led the W&J team to the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl and to the Lambert-Meadowlands Trophy and was named USA Today Player of the Year. [2] During the semi-final game versus Rowan University, he led the team to victory by rushing for 81 yards for a touchdown in the game's final minutes. [4] He also played on the baseball team, earning varsity letters three times. [2]

While a student at Bentworth High School in Bentleyville, Pennsylvania, he rushed for 3,000 career yards. [5] A potential scholarship offer to play at Penn State did not come to fruition after he broke an ankle during his senior year. [5]

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References

  1. 1 2 "Individual Records" (PDF). Washington & Jefferson College. 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-05-28.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Washington & Jefferson Athletics Hall of Fame - Class of 1999". Athletic Hall of Fame. Washington & Jefferson College. Archived from the original on 2011-07-26. Retrieved 2010-07-07.
  3. "A Mind-Body Connection: Division III Sports at W&J" (PDF). W&J Magazine. Washington & Jefferson College. Spring 2007. Retrieved 2010-07-07.[ dead link ]
  4. "Run Knocks Rowan Out Of Playoffs". The New York Times . December 6, 1992. Retrieved 2010-07-07.
  5. 1 2 Brewington, Peter (Dec 10, 1992). "Two find big chances at small schools". USA Today . pp. 13.C. Retrieved 2010-07-07.