Central Michigan University Athletics
Former Football Players Earn Honor
9/8/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 8, 2000
GRAND RAPIDS--Former Central Michigan University football players Gary Hogeboom and Ray Bentley were inducted into the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame in ceremonies on Sept. 7.
Hogeboom, a graduate of Grand Rapids Northview High, played at CMU 1976-79. He earned All-Mid-American Conference first-team honors and was named the MAC "Offensive Player of the Year" as a senior.
Hogeboom ranks eighth in CMU history for career passing yards (3,088) and is tied for sixth in touchdown passes (19). He helped the Chippewas to a MAC title in 1979 with a 10-0-1 record.
After his playing days at CMU, Hogeboom was drafted in the fifth round by the Dallas Cowboys in 1980 and spent six years with the Cowboys. He then played three seasons for the Indianapolis Colts before finishing out his career with single seasons with the Phoenix Cardinals and Washington Redskins. He finished his career with 9,500 passing yards and 49 touchdowns.
Bentley, a graduate of Hudsonville High, earned letters at CMU 1980-82. Bentley earned first-team All-MAC honors in 1981 and 1982 and was named the MAC Most Valuable Player and MAC "Defensive Player of the Year" in 1982.
Bentley is CMU's career tackle leader with 443 and holds Central's single season tackle mark with 173 in 1982.
Following his CMU career, Bentley started his professional career in 1983 with the Michigan Panthers of the USFL and helped the Panthers to the USFL title in 1983. He earned All-USFL honors with the Oakland Invaders in 1985 before joining the NFL's Buffalo Bills. He helped the Bills reach the Super Bowl in 1991 and 1992. His career ended in 1992 following a knee injury while playing for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Both played for former Central football coach and current CMU athletics director Herb Deromedi.
