Boston College's Top Athletes

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Jun 12, 2008

Boston College's Top Athletes

Mike Cloud

A consensus first-team All-America in 1999, Green averaged 5.9 yards per carry to set a then-school record with 3,597 career rushing yards, and still holds the record for most yards in a single season (1,726).

Art Donovan

Donovan made his name in the pros, where he won two Super Bowls with Johnny Unitas' Baltimore Colts and was an all-pro selection in five of his 12 seasons. In 1968 he became the first BC player inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame, and his BC jersey is one of only nine to be retired.

Sarah Behn

Twice an honorable mention All-America and first-team All-Big East, Behn holds the school record for most career points (2,523), along with the Big East career scoring record with 1,546 points in conference play. She is the only female athlete to have her jersey retired at BC.

Brian Gionta

After setting a school record with 123 career goals and nine career hat tricks and finishing second on the career points list (232), the 5-foot-7 forward helped the New Jersey Devils win the 2003 Stanley Cup with nine points in 24 playoff games.

Matt Ryan

Ryan led BC to three bowl wins and its first ACC title game, smashing the school's season passing records for yards (4,507), completions (388), and touchdowns (31) in his senior season. In April, he became the school's highest professional draft pick in any sport when he was drafted No. 3 by the Atlanta Falcons.

Craig Smith

A first team all-conference selection in both the Big East and the ACC, Smith holds the school record for career rebounds (1,114) and is second on the all-time scoring list with 2,349 points.

John Austin

Named the school's only first team All-America in 1965, Austin remains BC's career leader in scoring average (27.1), points scored in a single game (49), and most games with more than 30 points (18). He led the Eagles to two NIT appearances during three years under head coach Bob Cousy.

David Emma

Emma holds the school record for career points (239) and sits second in assists (127) and goals (112). He won BC's first Hobey Baker award as the best player in college hockey with 38 goals and 46 assists his senior season.

Troy Bell

The school's all-time career leader in points (2,632), three-pointers (300), and free throws, the two-time All-America put up 30 points in 15 different games and is one of only four players to win two Big East Player of the Year awards.

Doug Flutie

After throwing for 10,579 yards and 67 touchdowns and leading BC to three bowl games in his four years as a starter, Flutie clinched the 1984 Heisman Trophy with his last-second 48-yard, scrambling Hail Mary to beat Miami, 47-45.