By Darin 
November 16, 1965, marks the birthday of Gordie Lockbaum, a name synonymous with versatility and the bygone era of the true two-way football player.
Gordie was pretty darn special on both sides of the ball; heck, one week during the 1987 season, he was both the team’s Defensive and Offensive Player of the Week! His offensive prowess was highlighted by the 1986 game against Dartmouth, when he scored 6 touchdowns, and the 1987 Villanova game, when he caught 15 passes for 196 yards! Lockbaum was second in the 1987 Maxwell Award voting, finished fifth in the Heisman voting in 1986 and third in 1987, and won a variety of lesser-known collegiate gridiron awards.
The National Football Foundation voted Gordie Lockbaum into its College Football Hall of Fame in 2001.
Football Accolades and Accomplishments
- Two-Way Player: Served as a full-time halfback/wide receiver on offense, a cornerback/safety on defense, and a kick returner on special teams for Holy Cross.
- Dual Player of the Week: In one week during the 1987 season, he was honored as both the team’s Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week.
- Heisman Finalist: A two-time Heisman Trophy finalist, finishing Fifth in the 1986 Heisman voting and an unprecedented Third in the 1987 Heisman voting for a Division I-AA player.
- Maxwell Award Runner-up: Finished Second in the 1987 Maxwell Award voting (awarded to the nation’s best overall player).
- Record Game Performances:
- Scored 6 touchdowns in a single game against Dartmouth in 1986.
- Caught 15 passes for 196 yards in a game against Villanova in 1987.
- All-America Selection: Named a two-time First Team All-America selection (1986, 1987).
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2001.