Hall of Fame
Back To Hall of Fame
Back To Hall of Fame
Jim Vuono's 1968 football season ended with NAIA First Team All-American and First Team All-RMAC honors as Adams State produced their second consecutive RMAC title with an 8-1 overall record. Vuono and Adams State also posted a 3-0 conference record. The team defeated Colorado School of Mines, 7-0, in the conference final and reached a No. 9 national ranking according to the UPI Poll. During the 1968 season, Vuono finished with a team-best four fumble recoveries. As a sophomore he was a member of Adams State's 1966 Mineral Water Bowl team that defeated Southwest Missouri State, 14-8.
Vuono was a 3-time All-RMAC selection, team MVP (1968), and District 7 First Team All-American. His accolades led to being named as a member of the Denver Post's All-Time Rocky Mountain Southwest Football Team
The defensive lineman led the team in tackles during the 1967 and 1968 seasons and was described by coaches as "perhaps the best defensive lineman we have ever had". Also described as a quick, smart, savage, and inspirational player. After his Adams State career, Vuono was drafted in the 16th round (396 overall) of the 1969 NFL Draft by the Boston Patriots. He became the seventh former Adams State student-athlete to be drafted by a NFL team and the first from the Patriots organization.
Back To Hall of Fame
