James F. Kiick
Football, 1965-67
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Jim Kiick was the first player ever to earn first team All-Western Athletic conference honors three times. Kiick was Wyoming’s leading rusher for three consecutive seasons, 1965, `66, `67, and lead the Cowboys to consecutive WAC titles and bowl appearances in 1967 and `68. The Cowboys posted an impressive 26-6 record during his three seasons as starting tailback, including a perfect 13-0 home record. As a sophomore, Kiick rushed for 534 yards. During his junior season, his 597 rushing yards led the cowboys to a 10-1 overall record, a WAC championship, and berth in the Sun Bowl. Kiick rushed for 135 yards and two touchdowns earning Sun Bowl Most Valuable Player honors as Wyoming defeated Florida State, 28-20. As a senior, Kiick was selected a co-captain on one of the greatest Cowboy teams of all-time. Wyoming won 10 games fro the second consecutive season and was ranked fifth in the nation as kiick again led Wyoming in rushing, 583 yards, and was selected first team All-WAC. The Cowboys won their second straight WAC title and became the only WAC team in history to be invited to a New Year’s day bowl game, the 1968 Sugar Bowl. Following graduation, Kiick went to the National Football League, where he starred along-side Larry Csonka in the Miami Dolphins backfield creating one of the greatest running back tandems in NFL history. While with the Dolphins, Kiick and Csonka led Miami to three Super Bowls, two World Championships and a 17-0 record in 1972, the only perfect season in NFL history. Kiick and Csonka were known as “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.” Inducted October 18, 1996 Honors and Awards
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