Mid-American Conference

Legendary college football coach and Miami alumnus Ara Parseghian, who guided the Miami University football program from 1951-1955, died on Aug. 2 at his home in Granger, Ind., at the age of 94. Parseghian was a part of the original induction class to the MAC Hall of Fame in 1988. Parseghian earned his bachelor of science in education in 1949. He finished his master's of education in 1954. Both degrees were awarded by Miami.

Elected to the National Football Foundation's College Football Hall of Fame in 1980, Parseghian led Miami to a 39-6-2 record (.859) over his five seasons in Oxford, Ohio. His career at Miami was highlighted by a Mid American Conference championship in 1954 and a second conference title and undefeated season in 1955.

A three-sport athlete, Parseghian lettered in football, basketball and baseball at Miami, earning All-Ohio honors in 1946 and 1947 in football. Following graduation in 1949, Parseghian played one season with the Cleveland Browns, but his pro career was cut short due to injury.

He returned to Miami in 1950 to assist Woody Hayes and became Miami's 23rd head football coach in 1951 when Hayes departed for Ohio State.

After spending eight years at Northwestern, Parseghian moved to Notre Dame in 1964. Parseghian led the Fighting Irish to a 95-17-4 record (.836) over his 11 seasons in South Bend, highlighted by the 1966 and 1973 teams that finished 9-0-1 and 11-0-0, respectively, and claimed Notre Dame's eighth and ninth consensus national championships. Parseghian ended his career with a record of 170-58-6. 

Parseghian was part of the charter class of the Miami Athletic Hall of Fame in 1969 and was one of ten coaches to be elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1975. Parseghian received an honorary decorate from Miami in 1978 and served on Miami's Board of Trustees for nine years from 1978-1987. He is also one of 10 members of Miami's Cradle of Coaches honored with a bronze statue in the south end zone of Yager Stadium.