Dartmouth College is an Ivy League school with an elite roster of star athletes. The private liberal arts college has the smallest student body size among Ivy League institutions but has the highest number of championship titles. With such a storied football record, Dartmouth has unsurprisingly been home to numerous star players. Several players have gone on to earn spots in the College Hall of Fame and have even become top NFL players. The following players are among the greats who were a part of the Big Green.
Jay Fiedler: Top 1990s Quarterback
Jay Fiedler came to Dartmouth in 1990 and went on to start as quarterback for the college for three consecutive years. In 1992, he earned the distinction of being the Ivy League Player of the Year. Since his tenure, the quarterback still has some of the top passing records at the university. Although he initially played for the Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings, he’s best remembered for taking over as quarterback from Dan Marino in 2000 for the Miami Dolphins. Over four years, Fiedler would lead the Dolphins to 10+ wins in the regular season and earn spots in the playoffs. Fiedler had over 11,000 passing yards and 66 touchdowns throughout his time with the Dolphins.
Dennis Durkin: Star 1990s Kicker
Looking back at Dartmouth’s 1990s football history, it must include the incomparable Dennis Durkin. Kickers never get the spotlight like most other players, but Durkin is the exception. He holds countless kicking records, notably 13 out of 13 field goals during his 1992 senior year. Durkin’s past honors include First Team All-Ivy and First Team AP All-American. Durkin is also considered vital to Dartmouth’s 1990-1992 consecutive Ivy League Championships. Durkin didn’t continue to play football professionally post-college but instead went on to have a successful business career. After receiving an MBA from Harvard, he would revolutionize the digital entertainment industry and work with top companies like Microsoft and Activision.
Reggie Williams: Star Academic and Athlete
The 1970s were a golden age for Dartmouth football. One of the reasons that the decade is remembered with such fondness can be attributed to Reggie Williams. Williams has received accolades that include the College Football Hall of Fame and the Greater Flint Area Hall of Fame. He came to Dartmouth as a recipient of an academic scholarship but played football and wrestling while in attendance. Reggie Williams was a three-time All-Ivy linebacker from 1973 to 1975. Post-Dartmouth College, Williams would get drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals and played for the NFL team for fourteen seasons. During his time on the team, the Bengals would play in two Super Bowl match-ups, in 1981 and 1988. He holds the record for the second-highest number of sacks (62) for any Bengals player.
Dartmouth football has a storied history that spans over a century, dating back to its inaugural season in 1881. The program’s rich tradition and commitment to excellence have solidified its status as one of the esteemed football programs in the Ivy League.
Throughout the years, Dartmouth football has experienced both triumphs and challenges. The team has celebrated numerous championship victories, earning a total of 18 Ivy League titles, with the most recent coming in 2019. Dartmouth has produced talented athletes who have excelled not only on the football field but also in other areas of life, embodying the ideals of a well-rounded education.
Another of the notable eras in Dartmouth football history was during the tenure of head coach Bob Blackman in the 1970s and 1980s. Under his leadership, the team achieved sustained success and earned a reputation for its dynamic offense and stout defense. Blackman’s innovative strategies and emphasis on discipline laid the foundation for Dartmouth’s continued competitiveness.
Dartmouth’s football program is known for fostering a sense of camaraderie and a tight-knit community among its players, coaches, and fans. The dedication and passion displayed by the Big Green faithful create an electric atmosphere on game days, as the team takes to the field at Memorial Stadium.
Dartmouth football continues to evolve, adapting to the ever-changing landscape of college athletics. The program’s commitment to academic excellence and athletic prowess ensures that it will remain a force to be reckoned with in the Ivy League and a source of pride for the Dartmouth College community for years to come.