Two Gridiron Greats Honored

Heidelberg College alum and Athletic Hall of Fame member James Boeke, class of 1960, was inducted into the Summit County Hall of Fame on October 7. Boeke came to the Berg after graduating from Cuyahoga Falls high school in 1956. As a Student prince he played football, ran track and majored in education. He went on to play football in the NFL, and is currently a retired high school English teacher.
 
Boeke was very successful during his four years of college as a Heidelberg athlete, helping the football team to an overall record of 28-8. In 1957, he was named Third Team All-OAC in football. He received Heidelberg’s MVP and All-OAC Second Team honors in 1958. Then, in 1959, was named Heidelberg’s Co-Captain, All-OAC First Team, and United Press International All-Ohio Third Team. He was also a member of the 1959 OAC Championship football team. At the conclusion of his Heidelberg career he was honored with two additional awards, the Heidelberg Prugh Prize and the Heidelberg Herman E. Sayger Award
 
After graduation in 1960, Boeke went on to have a career in professional football playing nine years for the NFL. He was drafted in the 19th round by the Los Angeles Rams as an offensive left tackle. Following his time in L.A., Boeke was a member of the Dallas Cowboys and spent one year with the New Orleans Saints. He played under legendary head coach Tom Landry while in Dallas and made it to the NFL championship in 1966 and 1967. Both time the Cowboys lost out to the Green Bay Packers, while the 1967 “Ice Bowl” is still considered one of the greatest games in NFL history. The teams played in -30 degrees and below temperatures, with the Packers pulling off a 21-17 victory in the final minutes.
 

 
Fellow Student Prince Jeff Brock, class of 2000, was inducted into the John Glenn High School Athletic Hall of Fame on October 3. Brock, a four-year letter winner for the Berg, served as co-captain his senior year and was honored with the Paul. H. Hoernemann Award. He was twice named the team’s Offensive MVP and Academic All-OAC, earned All-OAC honors three times, and was the Melberger Award nominee as the Division III Player of the Year his final season.
 
While at running back for the Berg, Brock set single-game records for rushing attempts (51), rushing yards (301), and touchdowns (4), along with career records for rushing attempts (966) and rushing yards (4,077).  He still currently holds all five records for the Student Princes.