Michigan State University Athletics
Van Pelt Elected To College Football Hall Of Fame
4/19/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 19, 2001
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Former Michigan State two-time All-American Brad Van Pelt is one of 15 players and three coaches named to the College Football Hall of Fame Thursday. National Football Foundation Chairman Jon Hanson and Honors Court Chairman Gene Corrigan announced the 2001 Class at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City.
A three-year starter for Coach Duffy Daugherty, Van Pelt earned first-team All-America honors as both a junior and senior. As a sophomore in 1970, he had 80 tackles (42 solos, 38 assists) and a career-high six interceptions. As a junior, Van Pelt recorded 92 stops (51-41) and picked off four passes. He returned two interceptions for touchdowns against Oregon State in 1971, with returns covering 40 and 47 yards. As a senior, the 6-foot-5, 221-pound safety produced 84 tackles (42-42) and four interceptions. In 1972, he became the first defensive back ever to receive the Maxwell Award as the nation's top collegiate player.
A native of Owosso, Mich., Van Pelt finished his collegiate career with 256 tackles and 14 interceptions. He was named to the Lansing State Journal's MSU Centennial Super Squad in 1996 and MSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2000.
"This announcement caught me completely off guard," Van Pelt said. "This is a pleasant surprise. I'm both thrilled and honored to be named to the College Football Hall of Fame.
"I have a lot of fond memories of my playing career at Michigan State. Duffy Daugherty was like a second father to me. Our friendship didn't end after I finished my playing career at Michigan State. My pro career didn't get off to a great start but Duffy was always there to lend support and encouragement.
"I believe Duffy is looking down on me today with a smile on his face. I only wish that I could thank him in person for everything that he did for me. He was always there for me."
Former Michigan State head coach George Perles, who served as the Spartans' defensive line coach under Duffy Daugherty from 1967-71, acknowledged that Van Pelt was a special player.
"Brad Van Pelt was one of Duffy's favorites," Perles said. "Brad was a talented high school quarterback, who got moved to strong safety in college. He had a great college career and his personality was second to none. He was easy to coach and I have always hoped that Brad would get into the College Hall of Fame. He's most deserving of this honor because he was a great football player with a great attitude."
A second-round draft pick by the New York Giants in 1973, he spent 14 years in the National Football League and earned All-Pro honors five times (1976-80).
"Until today, I had considered being named Player of the Decade by the New York Giants the highlight of my playing career," Van Pelt said. "But being recognized by the College Football Hall of Fame is now my greatest accomplishment."
Van Pelt becomes the fifth former Michigan State player to be selected for the College Football Hall of Fame, joining tackle Don Coleman (inducted in 1975), halfback John Pingel (1968), defensive end Bubba Smith (1988) and linebacker George Webster (1987).
Van Pelt will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame at the National Football Foundation's 44th annual banquet in December in New York City and later enshrined in South Bend, Ind., in August of 2002.
The 2001 Class also features former Southern Cal halfback Jon Arnett, Georgia placekicker Kevin Butler, Michigan wide receiver Anthony Carter, Navy end Dick Duden, Syracuse defensive tackle Tim Green, Notre Dame quarterback Ralph Guglielmi, Ohio State tackle John Hicks, Oklahoma tight end Keith Jackson, Clemson defensive back Terry Kinard, Mississippi State linebacker D.D. Lewis, North Carolina running back Don McCauley, Kansas and Pennsylvania tackle John Outland, Penn State lineman Glenn Ressler and Brigham Young quarterback Steve Young plus former head coaches Barry Switzer (Oklahoma), Grant Teaff (McMurry, Angelo State and Baylor) and Bill Yeoman (Houston).
