Gary Collier

Gary Wayne Collier is among the best quarterbacks to have played for Emory & Henry. A member of the 1994 Sports Hall of Fame class, he was an All-American who graduated with no fewer than ten career passing records.

Collier lettered four years (1984-87) as quarterback for the Wasps. His junior year, he was selected First-Team All-ODAC and First Team All-State after a successful season in which he led the NCAA with a 159.1 passer rating. In 1987, Collier completed 152 passes on 249 attempts for 2,317 yards and 33 touchdowns. His 174.9 passer rating was second in the nation. Those statistics led to a bevy of accolades that year. Collier was named First Team All-American by the Associated Press and Kodak. He was selected Player of the Year by the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, Richmond Touchdown Club, Virginia Sports Information Directors, and Roanoke Times. Collier was also honored with the Thomas L. Porterfield Memorial Award, the college’s highest honor bestowed on a male athlete. That season he also led the team to a number four ranking in the nation.

Collier graduated with seven national passing records, including a 148.6 career passer rating, 10.84% of pass attempts completed for touchdowns, and seven two-point conversions in a season. He left behind ten school records, including most touchdown passes in a career (80), a single season (33), and a single game (6). Collier finished his career with 386 completions on 738 attempts for 6,103 yards, 80 touchdowns, and a 148.6 passer rating. He had also rushed for 933 yards and 13 touchdowns in his four years.

In addition to his stunning football career, Collier played baseball for the Wasps from 1985-87, where he took care of pitching duties. During his senior year, he threw a one-hitter and batted .357.

Collier graduated from the Virginia Criminal Justice Police Academy in 1990 and served as a National Boating Safety Instructor for the Coast Guard. Later, he became a member of the Virginia Game Wardens Association and the Fraternal Order of Police.