Bill Brooks
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Sport:
Football |
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Year
Graduated: 1986
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Year
Inducted: 1991 |
A two-time All-America selection who also was recognized
as a premier receiver in the National Football League, Billy
Brooks remains one of the Terriers' greatest football players
of all time.
As a senior, Billy earned Second Team AP All-America honors,
and first team All-New England and All-Yankee Conference accolades.
His stellar performance earned him an invitation to play in
the Senior Bowl in Mobile, AL, a game that features the nation's
top seniors. In addition, the School of Management graduate
was the 1985-86 recipient of the Mickey Cochrane Award as
the University's top male athlete, and a 1986 Scarlet Key
recipient. He also served on the athletic department's Drug
Committee, which was formed to implement a drug-testing program
for athletes.
In his junior season, he led the Terriers to a 9-3 mark,
including a berth in the NCAA 1-AA playoffs, and was the first
receiver to lead the football team in scoring. He also led
the Terriers in receptions, yards, and touchdown receptions.
Billy was recognized as an honorable mention All-American,
a first team All-New England, and a first team All-Yankee
Conference selection.
After the 1984 football season, Billy competed with the indoor
track team and finished sixth in the 55-meter dash at the
Greater Boston Championships.
As a sophomore he led the Terriers to a 9-4 overall mark,
earning All-Conference honors. Boston University defeated
Eastern Kentucky, 24-20, in the first round of the NCAA playoffs.
In the second round, Billy caught 12 passes for 234 yards,
but the Terriers bowed to Furman.
As a freshman, Billy was named Yankee Conference Rookie of
the Year, having led the Terriers with 30 receptions, while
finishing second on the team in receiving yards.
A fourth-round draft choice of the Indianapolis Colts, Billy
made his presence felt in the National Football League, walking
away with the 1986 AFC Rookie of the Year Award. Above that,
the personable Brooks gained the respect of his teammates
of the field.
"Billy is a bright and articulate person" said
Rod Dowhower, then the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts.
"He is a positive thinker and has a good personality
to go with it."
