Smith College

Induction Video

Eddie Joe Hesson, Jr. was a four-year starter at quarterback for the Profs and by his senior year, was leading the team to an appearance in the national championship game.

A four-time All-NJAC selection, he earned first-team honors in 1992 and 1993 after being chosen to the second team in his first two years with the Profs. Hesson was the conference’s Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1990 and then earned the league’s Offensive Player of the Year for consecutive seasons in 1992 and 1993. He was also named the ECAC Metro NY/NJ Player of the Year in 1993.

In four years, Hesson completed 504 passes for 7,035 yards and threw 67 touchdowns. He began his Rowan career by setting the record for touchdown passes by a freshman with 13 in 1990 and to this day, holds the career marks for lowest percentage of interceptions (2.8) and for average yards gained per play (6.8).

Hesson, originally from Burlington, NJ, helped Rowan to three consecutive NJAC Championships and three straight berths in the NCAA Playoffs. The 1992 team went 12-1 and reached the NCAA Semifinals, while the 1993 team compiled an 11-2 record and made school history by advancing to the NCAA Division III Championship game for the first time, finishing as the national runner-up.