Jeff Bender - Class of 2006

(Newberry)

A three-sport standout at Newberry High School, Jeff Bender set 27 school records for the Indians.  He then set 13 more records as quarterback of the Central Michigan University football team.  The Chippewas were 26-13-5 in his four seasons as a starter (1988-91) and played in the California Raisin Bowl in 1990.  He was the Mid-American Conference's freshman of the year in 1988, was conference MVP in 1990, was a four-time MAC academic selection and was an academic All-American in 1990.  Bender received the NCAA outstanding scholar-athlete award in 1992 and the MAC Humanitarian Award in 1992.  He was inducted into CMU's Hall of Fame in 2002.