Ben Roethlisberger To Be Inducted Into Miami Athletics Hall Of Fame

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will be inducted into the Miami University Athletics Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2012-13 according to the University website. Roethlisberger is one of six individuals being inducted into the 44th Hall of Fame Class in the winter that include his former head coach, the late Terry Hoeppner.

Roethlisberger, who just graduated from his Alma mater this past off-season, holds every major passing record in Miami history. According to the release the Steelers quarterback passed for more than 200 yards in all 14 games during the 2003 season and he also owns NCAA records for most games in a season gaining 200 or more passing yards and consecutive games with at least 200 passing yards. Roethlisberger was twice named Miami\’s Male Co-Athlete of the Year (2000-01 and 2003-04) while being named MAC Freshman of the Year (2001) and MAC Offensive Player of the Year (2003). He was a three-time All-MAC selection, earning first-team honors in 2003 and second-team recognition in 2001 and 2002. A three-year letterwinner, Roethlisberger forewent his final season of eligibility to enter the 2004 NFL Draft where he was was the 11th overall selection by the Steelers, the highest draft pick in the schools history. Roethlisberger had his No.7 retired by the school in October of 2007.

Hoeppner, who passed away in June of 2007 as a result of brain cancer, is often credited by Roethlisberger for his success. Following the death of his college coach Roethlisberger said in a statement, “Coach Hoeppner has inspired me to be who I am today. He has been a second father, a teacher and a friend. He believed in me and I owe everything to him for where I am in life. I hold the deepest love and respect for him, his wife Jane and their family. He has been a role model for so many young men. I aspire to be as honorable and touch as many lives as Coach Hep. I will miss him more than words can describe.”

Roethlisberger has referred quite a few times since joining the Steelers to a poem that Hoeppner taught him while in college that is entitled, “Don\’t Quit”, and the quarterback reportedly keeps a copy of the it in his car, above the desk in his house and inside his locker. It is very fitting that the two get inducted into the same class together. Details for the induction are still being finalized, according to the release by the school, and will be announced at a later date.