Hall of Fame Profile: Brian Pruitt

Oct. 21, 2005

Oct. 19 -- Hall of Fame Profile: Cathy Wylie (Softball)
Oct. 20 -- Hall of Fame Profile: Shelby Root (Gymnastics)
Oct. 21 -- Hall of Fame Profile: Brian Pruitt (Football)
Oct. 24 -- Hall of Fame Profile: Gary Lee (Basketball)
Oct. 25 -- Hall of Fame Profile: Terry Carey (Football, Track, CMU Administrator)
Oct. 28 -- Hall of Fame Profile: Larry Lamphere (Baseball)

Brian Pruitt is one of the most accomplished football players in the history of Central Michigan University. He is remembered as much for what he did off the field, however, as he is for his gridiron exploits.

"More important than his numbers was his presence and what he meant to the team," said Herb Deromedi, who recruited Pruitt as CMU's head coach and is now in his 12th year as athletics director. "He was a very well-rounded individual. He had a great sense of humor and was very personable. He was well-liked by his teammates and respected by his coaches."

Following solid sophomore and junior seasons that saw him rush for 859 and 944 yards, respectively, Pruitt burst onto the national scene during CMU's 1994 MAC championship season with arguably the finest single season of any football player in school history.

Pruitt rushed for 1,890 yards and 20 touchdowns and caught six passes for 74 yards and two scores as a senior. He ran for at least 100 yards nine times and scored on six runs of at least 45 yards. His career-defining performance was against Toledo, when he ran 39 times for 356 yards and five touchdowns in a 45-27 Chippewa win. He followed that by rushing for 141 yards and two scores and catching an 11-yard touchdown pass in a 36-33 win at Bowling Green the next weekend which secured the MAC championship for CMU.

As a member of the Associated Press All-America team, Pruitt appeared on Bob Hope's Christmas television special.

Pruitt earned All-America first team honors from the Associated Press and second team accolades from United Press International in 1994. He is the only player in CMU history to garner Division I All-America first team accolades. Pruitt finished second in Division I-A in rushing, all-purpose yardage, and scoring, and collected MAC Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year honors.

In recognition of his efforts on the playing field, Pruitt will be inducted into the Central Michigan University Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, Oct. 28, in a ceremony at the Holiday Inn in Mount Pleasant. Tickets are $30 per person and may be purchased by contacting the CMU Athletics Ticket Office at 1-888-FIRE-UP2. The honorees will also be recognized at halftime of the CMU-Toledo football game on Saturday.

Also being inducted into the Hall of Fame on Oct. 28 are Terry Carey (football, track, staff), Larry Lamphere (baseball), Gary Lee (basketball), Shelby Root (gymnastics), and Cathy Wylie (softball).

Still, some of Pruitt's finest accomplishments came off the field. Throughout his collegiate career, Pruitt spoke with teenagers about the importance of conducting themselves in the proper fashion both in school and in the community. Today, Pruitt travels the country as a motivational speaker, using experiences from his own past to inspire others to continue to strive for their own dreams.

More than just Pruitt's athletic ability caught Deromedi's eye during his recruitment of the three-sport athlete from Saginaw.

"Anyone could see that he was outstanding athlete," Deromedi said. "He had all the characteristics you look for in a tailback. In basketball he would amaze you because he was so well put-together, but he could really get off the floor. And, he was among the top 100-meter competitors in the state.

"The part that impressed me the most was that he had a special mother, Joyce, who truly understood that importance of where her son would be in the future," he added. "She did everything possible to give Brian the opportunity to pursue his dreams beyond the athletic field."

Now, with his football career behind him, Pruitt is focused on helping others chase their dreams through his work as an inspirational speaker and with youth ministries. He lives in Saginaw with his wife, Dr. Delicia Seals Pruitt, and daughter, Brianna Joy.

Related Videos