p ro s / re t i re d n u m b e r s Craig Rolle..................... 1979 New Orleans Saints (NFL) Larry Schreiber........1970-78 San Francisco 49ers (NFL) Chicago Bears (NFL) Larry Shipp...............2005-11 Detroit Lions (NFL) Alabama Vipers (AFL) Georgia Force (AFL) Flavious Smith.........1952-53 Los Angeles Rams (NFL) Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL) Donald Snyder.........1986-88 Detroit Lions (NFL) Thomas Squires............ 1988 New Orleans Saints (NFL) Howard Stidham........... 1978 Green Bay Packers (NFL) Joshua Symonette...2000-02 Washington Redskins (NFL) Green Bay Packers (NFL) Miami Dolphins (NFL) John Tanner..............1971-75 San Diego Chargers (NFL) Toronto Argonauts (CFL)
John Trainor.............1971-74 Toronto Argonauts (CFL) Jerry Turner .............2003-11 Birmingham Steeldogs (AFL) Las Vegas Gladiators (AFL) Odessa Rough Necks (NIFL) Bakersfield Blitz (AF2) Kansas City Brigade (AFL) Arkansas Twisters (AFL) Spokane Shock (AFL) Georgia Force (AFL) Lonnie Warwick........1964-75 Minnesota Vikings (NFL) Atlanta Falcons (NFL) San Antonio Wings (WFL) Terry Wellesly...........1970-75 Ottawa Rough Riders (CFL) Hamilton Tigercats (CFL) Branon Vaughn............. 2000 San Francisco 49ers (NFL) Jim Youngblood.......1973-85 Los Angeles Rams (NFL) Seattle Seahawks (NFL) Washington Redskins (NFL)
Retired Numbers
Three numbers have been retired by Tennessee Tech in recognition of the outstanding playing careers of the men who wore them:
Larry Schreiber
34
Runningback Larry Schreiber was an Associated Press all-America selection in 1969, three-times named all-OVC, and was selected the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year as a senior. He won Tech's prestigious Robert Hill Johnson Award three times and is still the all-time leader in total offense and rushing in Golden Eagle history. He had three 1,000-yard rushing seasons, then went on to a professional career in the National Football League with the San Francisco 49ers and the Chicago Bears. He's a member of the Tennessee Tech Sports Hall of Fame.
Jim Youngblood
53
Linebacker Jim Youngblood was a two-time all-America, two-time all-OVC selection, and was twice named the league's Player of the Year on defense. He holds the Tech record for career tackles and was the Robert Hill Johnson Award winner in 1972. Jim played 12 years in the NFL with the L.A. Rams, Seattle Seahawks and Washington Redskins. He is a member of the Tennessee Tech Sports Hall of Fame.
Elois Grooms
90
Defensive end Elois Grooms was named firstteam all-America in 1974 and was twice named to the all-OVC squad. He was also the recipient of the 1974 Robert Hill Johnson Award, before embarking on a successful professional career that spanned more than a decade with the NFL's New Orleans Saints and St. Louis Cardinals. Elois is a member of the Tennessee Tech Sports Hall of Fame.
Former All-American Jim Youngblood in College Football Hall of Fame Jim Youngblood, who earned numerous honors while playing linebacker at Tennessee Tech, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1996. Youngblood, along with nine other players and four coaches, was part of the inaugural Divisional Hall of Fame Class, which included players and coaches from NCAA IAA, II, and III divisions and the NAIA. Twice named the Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year, Youngblood was named to eight different allAmerica teams during his career at Tennessee Tech, including six following his senior season. He earned the Robert Hill Johnson Award in 1972 and is one of only three Tech players to have his number retired. He still ranks as Tech's all-time leader in tackles.
2 0 1 1 F T H E FA S T E S T 6 0 M I N U T E S I N F O O T B A L L
141