GREENVILLE, Pa.—Thiel College and the College’s Blue-Gold Club proudly present Cuyler (Butch) Berwanger, the son of Heisman Trophy icon John Jacob (Jay) Berwanger, for a special event to discuss the sports icon’s life and legacy at 10 a.m. August 15 at Thiel College.
Cuyler (Butch) Berwanger will discuss in Bly Hall of the Academic Center at Thiel College his father’s life as a football pioneer. Jay Berwanger was the first-ever recipient of the prestigious Heisman Trophy in 1935 and in 1936 became the first pick during the inaugural National Football League draft. The public is invited to this free event. History enthusiasts and members of the regional football and athletics community will join the coaches and players of the Thiel football team and members of the Blue-Gold booster organization at the event.
“This event offers a remarkable opportunity to gain insights into the life of Jay Berwanger, a true football pioneer and iconic figure in sports history,” Thiel College Director of Athletics Jason Fautas said. “There are important lessons about humility and courage in his life story that are as inspirational and relevant today as they were when he won the Heisman Trophy. His recognition as the nation’s best college football player came at a time when college football’s shadow loomed large across the national sports landscape.”
The event will be an extraordinary opportunity to gain insights into the man known as the “one-man football team” who later turned down the NFL’s invitation to play professionally. At the University of Chicago, he became a star halfback, safety, punter, and field goal kicker. Notably, during a game against the Michigan Wolverines in 1934, Jay Berwanger left an enduring mark on future U.S. President Gerald Ford’s left cheek.
In recognition of his exceptional talents and sportsmanship, Jay Berwanger achieved a historic feat by becoming the first-ever winner of the Downtown Athletic Club Trophy after the 1935 football season. The award was later renamed the Heisman Trophy, which continues to be presented annually to the most outstanding college football player.
About Butch Berwanger
Thiel College is honored to have Butch Berwanger, the son of Jay Berwanger, as the esteemed speaker for this event. A resident of Downers Grove, Ill., Butch graduated from Denison University and embarked on a successful career in education. For 37 years, he dedicated himself to teaching science at L.J. Hauser Junior High, where he made significant contributions by introducing sports programs, student government initiatives, and a drug and violence awareness group for seventh and eighth graders. He also served as the school's guidance counselor, positively impacting countless young lives.
About Thiel College
Thiel College is an independent college founded in the Lutheran tradition. Located in Greenville, Pa., the College offers 60 majors and minors, 24 varsity sports, and an 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The College is also home to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and graduate programs in, Business Administration, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Physician Assistant and Speech-Language Pathology. All of Thiel College’s master’s degree programs offer innovative and accelerated five-year paths which allow students to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years. A dedicated faculty paired with dynamic research and internship opportunities produce outstanding graduate school and job placements. Coeducational from its beginnings, the College remains committed to diversity and inclusion. The College combines tradition with innovation as it honors its past and celebrates its future.
About The Blue-Gold Club
The Blue-Gold Club offers an opportunity for alumni and friends of the College to financially support all of Thiel’s athletic programs. Through the years the Blue-Gold Club has been instrumental in providing needed funds to our student-athletes. The Blue-Gold Club raises funds specifically for Thiel College athletics. Generous contributions underwrite some of the daily aspects of running a collegiate program including team travel, upgrading the College’s equipment and maintaining and upgrading its athletic facilities, which includes the Rissell-Schreyer Dome, which covers the football field during the winter. Thiel College has approximately 380 student-athletes enrolled across 22 varsity teams on campus. Thiel competes in NCAA Division III, the largest of the NCAA’s three divisions with over 430 members. Division III schools do not offer athletic scholarships. Thiel’s athletes compete mainly in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference.
For more information on the Blue-Gold Club, contact Jason Fautas, Director of Athletics, at 724-589-2212.
About Thiel College
Thiel College is an independent college founded in the Lutheran tradition. Located in Greenville, Pa., the College offers 60 majors and minors, 24 varsity sports, and an 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The College is also home to a new Master of Science in speech-language pathology and 2Master of Business Administration. Both master’s degree programs offer innovative and accelerated five-year paths which allow students to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years. The speech-language pathology program also has an accelerated 15-month graduate-level program. The M.B.A. program also has a 12-month post-graduate program.A dedicated faculty paired with dynamic research and internship opportunities produce numerous graduate school and job placements. Coeducational from its beginnings, the College remains committed to combining tradition with innovation as it celebrates 150 years.