Inducted on February 4, 2012

Football 1971-1973

Rick Upchurch was a standout performer for the Falcons football team during the 1970 and 1971 seasons. He was named first–team all–conference after both his freshman and sophomore seasons and was the first athlete in school history to be named a first–team All–American in football. As a freshman, the native of Toledo, Ohio, scored 15 touchdowns, ran for 1171 yards and was fifth in the conference in total offense with 1529 yards. The next year he had 1221 yards of total offense and was third in the league in rushing yards while garnering unanimous all-conference recognition. After graduating from Centerville Community College, Rick attended the University of Minnesota where he was a second–team all–conference player in the Big Ten. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in 1974 and played nine seasons with the Broncos and still holds several team and league records. A five–time All–Pro selection who played in four Pro Bowls, Rick was selected to the NFL's All–Decade team in the 1970s and the 1980s.