Gino Torretta Enshrined in College Football Hall of Fame
July 19, 2010
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Former University of Miami quarterback Gino Torretta was enshrined into the National Football Foundation (NFF) College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind. on Saturday. Torretta is the sixth Hurricane to be selected for induction, as he joined former student-athletes Bennie Blades, (2006), Don Bosseler (1990) and Ted Hendricks (1987) along with coaches Andy Gustafson (1985) and Jack Harding (1980) in the Hall.
Torretta, along with the 23 other inducees in this year’s class, took part in two full days of activities in conjunction with the enshrinement, which was held Saturday night at the Century Center Convention Center. The class included 16 First Team All-America players and two legendary coaches in John Robinson and Dick MacPherson.
A key factor in many of Miami’s national championship-contending teams, Torretta became one of the most decorated players in college football history, claiming unanimous First Team All-America honors, the Heisman Trophy, Davey O’Brien, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm, Maxwell and Walter Camp awards in 1992.
As a freshman on the 1989 National Championship team, Torretta posted a 3-1 record as a starter while filling in for injured quarterback Craig Erickson. As a junior, Torretta led the Hurricanes to the 1991 National Championship game and was named the Big East Player of the Year. During his senior season in 1992, Torretta once again led Miami to the National Championship game and a Big East Championship. Torretta again took home Big East Player of the Year as well as the 1992 Tanqueray World Amateur Athlete of the Year. He currently holds the Big East conference record for lowest career percentage of interceptions (1.94), passing yards in a single-game (485) and longest passing play (99) yards, also an NCAA record. Torretta led Miami to a 26-2 record as a starter and was part of Miami’s NCAA record 58-game home winning streak.
Torretta finished his Miami career with eleven school passing records, including career attempts (991), completions (555), yards (7,690), total offense (7,772), longest pass (99 yards to Horace Copeland vs. Arkansas, an NCAA record) and most passing yards in a game (485 vs. San Diego State).
He was tapped into Iron Arrow, as one of the University’s best ambassadors. He has also been inducted into the Orange Bowl Hall of Honor and the University of Miami Hall of Fame. He is also a Past-President of the National University of Miami Alumni Association, a member of the Orange Bowl Committee, and in 2008 was inducted into the University of Miami’s Ring of Honor.
Torretta was drafted in the seventh round of the 1993 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. The quarterback played five seasons in the NFL and spent time with the Vikings, Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks and Indianapolis Colts.
A Miami resident, Torretta is the Founder, President and CEO of Touchdown Radio Productions. He is also the vice president for Institutional Sales with Gabelli Asset Management.
