"Corte McGuffey was not only an outstanding player and outstanding student at Northern Colorado, but also an outstanding citizen," said Northern Colorado Head Football Coach Scott Downing. "We are blessed to have him part of the Greeley community. Based on his accomplishments on and off the field, to honor him in this way is a small thing we can do for what he's done in this community and for this institution."

McGuffey was a quarterback at Northern Colorado from 1996-99, winning the 1999 Harlon Hill Trophy, given to the top Division II player of the year. He was also a two-time First-Team Academic All-American and the North Central Conference MVP his senior season.

He still holds the school record for career passing yards (8,781), touchdown passes (93) and offensive yards (9,362). He also holds the top two spots in the same single-season categories.

"Corte epitomized the definition of student-athlete during his career at Northern Colorado," said Associate Athletic Director Chris Kiser. "First and foremost, he was a two-time first-team Academic All-American and is a proud graduate of Northern Colorado. I can think of no one more deserving than Corte McGuffey to become the first person in school history to have his jersey retired."

McGuffey's jersey will hang prominently from the scoreboard on the south side of Nottingham Field and is the first jersey in football school history to be retired. The athletics department has decided to retire jersey's of all-time greats, but allow the numbers to be worn again.

McGuffey and the rest of the 1997 National Championship Team were inducted into the Hall of Fame in a banquet on Friday evening and will be honored in a half-time celebration this afternoon.