Griese Endows Quarterback Scholarship

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Gift is first for new 'Cradle of Quarterbacks Endowment'

Bob Griese was the Boilermakers' starting quarterback from 1964 to 1966, capping his career by leading Purdue to its first Rose Bowl berth.

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Sept. 3, 2004

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue All-America quarterback Bob Griese has made a $250,000 pledge to endow one of the quarterback scholarships on Purdue's football team. The gift from the Boilermaker legend is the first step in completely securing the quarterback position, an effort called the "Cradle of Quarterbacks Endowment." "Bob's gift is an incredible gesture," Athletics Director Morgan Burke said. "Endowing a scholarship for future generations of student-athletes is perhaps the most lasting gift anyone can make." For Griese, who will be in town this weekend to announce Sunday's game against Syracuse for ABC Sports, the gift is about giving back to his alma mater. "Without my experience at Purdue, there wouldn't have been any career in the NFL, no Super Bowls and certainly no Hall of Fame," the 1967 Purdue graduate said. "My time in West Lafayette shaped my future, and I owe a lot to the people at Purdue." Griese's gift is the foundation for the Cradle of Quarterbacks Endowment. In the coming years, the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics intends to endow three quarterback scholarships ($250,000 each) and the quarterbacks coach position ($500,000). The total endowment would be $1.25 million. "Purdue's football tradition is tied to our history of quarterbacks," Burke said. "This endowment, that helps cover the costs related to student-athlete scholarships and an assistant coach's salary, is a way to elevate and honor the history we have at that position."

Bob Griese (right) and Brad Nessler will announce Sunday's Purdue football game against Syracuse for ABC Sports.

While Griese is the first quarterback to step forward, Burke hopes other former signal-callers help toward the $1.25 million goal. "Bob was a leader when he was here on campus, and now he's taken a leadership step with this campaign," Burke said. "In the next year, we will begin approaching other former quarterbacks to build the endowment. As former quarterbacks and others give back, this is a way for us to further secure a strong future for Purdue Athletics." Griese was the Boilermakers' starting quarterback from 1964 to 1966, capping his career by leading Purdue to its first Rose Bowl berth. He was a consensus All-American both his junior and senior seasons and finished as runner-up for the Heisman Trophy in 1966. Following his collegiate career, the Miami Dolphins selected Griese with the fourth-overall pick in the 1967 NFL Draft. He led the Dolphins to three consecutive Super Bowls from 1971 to 1973, winning the contest in 1972 and 1973. The 1972 Dolphins are the only undefeated team in NFL history. Griese is the only Boilermaker alum to be enshrined in the Purdue Intercollegiate Athletics, College Football and Pro Football halls of fame. Since his retirement as a player, Griese has enjoyed a distinguished career as a college football television analyst for ABC Sports.

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