Boston College Athletics
Special Halftime Ceremonies Saturday
October 13, 1999 | Football
Oct. 13, 1999
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - Eight great athletes, whose careers spanned 40 years of Boston College athletics, will be inducted into the University's Varsity Club Hall of Fame in ceremonies this Friday evening (Oct. 15). The inductees, including three Eagle football greats, also will be honored in halftime ceremonies of BC's game vs. Pittsburgh, which kicks off Saturday at 5:06 p.m. in Alumni Stadium.
The Varsity Club Hall-of-Fame inductees include John Kissell #50 (football), Dr. Harry Ernst #50 (golf), Dan Zailskas #69 (baseball), Jim Rourke #79 (football), Joe Nash #82 (football), Jay Murphy #84 (basketball), Shannon Murphy Silvestri #88 (field hockey), and Dan Shea #88 (ice hockey).
Kissell was a three-year standout on the Eagles' football team. A towering defensive lineman, he was a member of the 1942 team that faced Alabama in the Orange Bowl. Following his stellar collegiate career, Kissell made his mark on the professional level, earning All-Pro honors while a member of the Cleveland Browns. He helped the Browns capture three world titles (1950, 1954, 1955).
A standout at Boston College High School, Jim Rourke continued his distinguished playing career at Boston College. A three-year starter at offensive guard/tackle, he was noted for his incredible blocking techniques. He started every game in his junior and senior seasons and was selected to play in both the Blue-Gray Game and the Senior Bowl. He enjoyed a six-year NFL career, playing six seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and one each with the New Orleans Saints and the Cincinnati Bengals.
Joe Nash came to BC in the fall of 1978 and broke into the Eagles' starting lineup as a freshman. He played three years at defensive tackle before moving to nose guard as a senior. In his final season, he recorded 88 tackles, five sacks and one fumble recovery to earn All-New England accolades. He played his entire, distinguished 16-year professional career with the Seattle Seahawks, earning Pro Bowl honors.
BC Retires Donovan's Jersey
BC will retire a jersey honoring Eagle great Art Donovan (1946-49) in
halftime ceremonies of the Pittsburgh game. Donovan was one of the
greatest linemen ever to play at BC. His jersey will hang alongside
those honoring Louis Urban, Charles O'Rourke, Mike Holovak and Tony
Thurman and the retired numbers of Eagle greats Doug Flutie (22) and
Mike Ruth (68).
