New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) graduate Roger Staubach was honored June 13 during the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-America Hall of Fame Ceremony with the 2016 Dick Enberg Award.
Staubach becomes the first former NJCAA student-athlete to earn the honor, which is presented annually to an athlete whose actions and commitment have expanded the meaning and reach of the Academic All-America Teams program and/or the student-athlete while promoting the values of education and academics.
Preceding his arrival at the U.S. Naval Academy in 1961, Staubach was a three-sport star at NMMI. The Cincinnati native was an NJCAA All-America selection in football and baseball with the Broncos while earning All-Western Junior College Athletic Conference honors in basketball.
Following his time at NMMI, Staubach finished his legendary collegiate career at Navy. In 1963, he led the Midshipmen on a historic season that culminated with the No. 2 ranking in the nation. Staubach was acknowledged as the best player in the country with the Heisman Trophy, becoming the first former NJCAA student-athlete to receive the award. By the end of his senior season, the star quarterback set a new school record with 4,253 yards of total offense. Navy retired Staubach’s No. 12 jersey at his graduation ceremony in 1965, and he was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1981.
Despite being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 1964, Staubach fulfilled his military commitment, including a one-year tour of duty in Vietnam where he served as a Supply Corps officer with 41 enlisted men under his command. Staubach returned to the U.S. in September 1967 to finish out the remainder of his naval career.
Staubach joined the Cowboys in 1969 and assumed the full-time starting role of quarterback during the 1971 season. After taking hold of the reins, he led the Cowboys on a run to their first championship with a 24-3 win over the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI. Throwing for 119 yards and two touchdowns, Staubach became the first Heisman Trophy winner and first former NJCAA student-athlete to be named Super Bowl MVP.
At the conclusion of his professional career, Staubach was a two-time Super Bowl champion and six-time Pro Bowler who had earned iconic nicknames such as “Roger the Dodger” for his scrambling ability, “Captain Comeback” for his heroic fourth-quarter performances, and “Captain America” for leading what had come to be known as “America’s Team.”
After throwing for career highs in completions, yards and touchdowns during the 1979 season, Staubach announced his retirement. He was inducted into the Dallas Cowboys’ Ring of Honor in 1983 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.
Once retired, Staubach displayed the NJCAA ideals of volunteerism and service through his dedicated contributions to programs supporting individuals and communities. He founded Allies in Service, which serves as an outreach program to veterans to provide aid in employment, housing, education and healthcare. Staubach is also active with the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and the Catholic Charities of Dallas. In 2010, he received the Hope for Humanity Award from the Dallas Holocaust Museum/Center for Education in Tolerance.
