Paul Winters (1989) - Hall of Fame - University of Akron Athletics

Paul Winters

Induction:
1989
Class:
1980

1977-80
Football/Track
‘80

It is said that a super athlete makes an appearance around ever 10 years. Paul Winters, who lettered three years in football between 1977-79 and one year in track (1980), fit the mold as a super athlete as well as a super person. Under Head Coach Jim Dennison, Winters helped guide UA to three consecutive winning seasons. He established himself as the number one tailback in 1977 and then led the Zips in rushing in both 1978 and 1979. It was 1979 in which the 6-0, 180-pound Winters excelled. As a co-captain, the former Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary standout, was UA’s leading ground gainer in all 11 games. He saved his best, however, for the last game of his collegiate career when he accumulated 200 yards on a UA record-setting 48 carries against Eastern Illinois. That super performance gave him 1298 yards rushing for another all-time school mark. Winters was named UA’s Most Valuable Player Back and was voted Athlete of the Year in 1980. When asked about his performances, Winters’ unselfish response would always be: “It’s them,” pointing to the offensive lineman, “any success I have belongs to them. They make the holes—I just had to run.” “Winters was a coach’s dream,” said Dennison. “He was true representative of what we were trying to accomplish in our football program.”