Roger S. Penske/Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame
Richard F. Gabriel
- Induction:
- 1994
- Class:
- 1951
Dick Gabriel burst onto the football scene at Lehigh with a 97-yard touchdown run against Franklin & Marshall in his first varsity appearance as a sophomore in the 1948 season-opener. That was just the start of a magnificent career which would see Gabriel ultimately lead the Engineers to their only perfect record season in 1950.
The 97-yard scamper is still the longest run from scrimmage in school history. He remains number one in rushing yards per attempt during a career (6.59) and in one season (8.12 in 1949). His total of 2,506 rushing yards over three seasons ranks fifth on Lehigh’s all-time rushing list through the 2016 season. He is tied for fourth in career rushing touchdowns (33), eighth in rushing yards per season (1,023 in 1949) and is tied for the third-longest kickoff return (95 yards in 1949). He holds the third-longest punt return in school history (88 yards in 1949) and is fourth and total touchdowns with 42 (all records current through the 2016 season).
His name is still also in the record books in two top-ten seasonal rankings: tied for ninth in total touchdowns (16) in 1949, and in rushing touchdowns (12) in 1948.
Captain of the 1950 team, Gabriel remained active with Lehigh after graduation as an alumni association class agent. He also was an active member in Little League Baseball instruction and the Boy Scouts.
“It is quite a compliment and a thrill for me to be selected,” Gabriel said. “I've had a great feeling inside ever since this was announced. I think being elected to a hall of fame is something anyone in athletics is thrilled about.”
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The 97-yard scamper is still the longest run from scrimmage in school history. He remains number one in rushing yards per attempt during a career (6.59) and in one season (8.12 in 1949). His total of 2,506 rushing yards over three seasons ranks fifth on Lehigh’s all-time rushing list through the 2016 season. He is tied for fourth in career rushing touchdowns (33), eighth in rushing yards per season (1,023 in 1949) and is tied for the third-longest kickoff return (95 yards in 1949). He holds the third-longest punt return in school history (88 yards in 1949) and is fourth and total touchdowns with 42 (all records current through the 2016 season).
His name is still also in the record books in two top-ten seasonal rankings: tied for ninth in total touchdowns (16) in 1949, and in rushing touchdowns (12) in 1948.
Captain of the 1950 team, Gabriel remained active with Lehigh after graduation as an alumni association class agent. He also was an active member in Little League Baseball instruction and the Boy Scouts.
“It is quite a compliment and a thrill for me to be selected,” Gabriel said. “I've had a great feeling inside ever since this was announced. I think being elected to a hall of fame is something anyone in athletics is thrilled about.”
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