1998--Brian Shay

1998 Winner

Brian Shay
Senior; Running Back
Emporia State University

After rewriting the NCAA College Football record book in 1998, Emporia State running back Brian Shay shattered all existing Harlon Hill Trophy records when he was named the recipient of the 1998 Hill Trophy. Shay, a senior from Paola, Kan., set 17 NCAA records during his four year career at Emporia State, including five all-division records. In claiming the Hill Trophy, he received 88 first-place votes, 303 total points and appeared on 110 of the 115 ballots cast, shattering the previous records in all three categories. Shay out-distanced his nearest competitor by another record 185 points. Shay finished his collegiate career as the all-time leading rusher in the history of collegiate football with 6,958 yards, as well as the all-time leader in all-purpose yardage at 9,301. The runner-up for the 1997 Hill Trophy, Shay led Division II in rushing, scoring and all-purpose yards this season, averaging 205.9 yards rushing, 16.0 points and 256.3 total yards per game. His 88 total touchdowns, 544 career points and 15 career 200-yard rushing games are also all-division records. In 1998 alone he rushed 2,265 yards, averaged 7.7 yards per carry and scored 29 rushing touchdowns. He set five NCAA all-divisions records and 12 additional NCAA Division II records and surpassed three-time Hill Trophy winner Johnny Bailey to become collegiate football's leading rusher. His 2,265 yards rushing in 1998 set an all-time Division II record, as did his seven games with 200 or more yards rushing in 1998, and his six consecutive 200-yard rushing games. His 2,819 all-purpose yards in a season was also a Division II record and his eleven 100-yard rushing games tied a Division II record which he also set in 1996. Shay was a two-time first-team All-American, was 1997 MIAA Offensive Player of the Year, and an 11-time MIAA Player of the Week.

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