You might have read a recent football blog highlighting UConn RB Eric Torkelson, who set team single season rushing record that stood for 23 years and was named a Small School All American. The man in the middle of the offensive line joined him on that All American Team.. Center Rich Foye....
The New London Native starred with his hometown Whalers in the late 60's before attending UConn and playing football at UConn from 1970-1973. Recruited by Bob Casciola's staff, the Huskies were a regular contenter for the Yankee Conference Crown...Sharing the title in 1971 (3-1-1) and losing out to UMass a year later where UConn finished 4-5 overall where Foye and Eric Torkelson were among the All Yankee Conference selections...
In 1973, a new coach and staff came in, as Larry Naviaux took over a team that had high expectations. And they didn't disappoint by going 8-2-1 and winning the league with a 5-0-1 record. That included their third ever win over in state foe Yale in New Haven. Where the Huskies ran for 347 yards, with Foye and his offensive line leading the way....
Rich Foye centered a line that featured two other all conference selections in Jim Bailey and Bob Bundy. The other's included Steve Schainker, Bill Maver and Pete Cathey....And they plowed the road for Torkelson, who ran for 1,233 yards, and protected freshman QB Bernie Palmer.
The Huskies ended the season going unbeaten in their last 6 games (5-0-1) with wins over UMass, Rutgers, BU and Holy Cross....the finale a hard fought 10-9 win in Storrs...
Foye, along with Torkelson, were named first team Small School D-I All Americans...But while Tork was drafted by and had a nice little run with the Green Bay Packers, Foye graduated and stayed in Eastern CT to get involved in Education. Where he taught History in Killingly, then later in New London before becoming Headmaster at Woodstock Academy and in 2014 was named "interim" Superintendent of Schools in New London.
His dad Bill, not only a popular principal at New London HS, was a decorated WWII pilot who was shot down. He was rescued, protected and nourished by Philippine Gorillas in 1944 and later rescued by the US in 1945...Rich wrote a Book about his dad, "Foye and the Filipinos"
Rich Foye may have been a great educator in Easter Connecticut over the years, but in 1973, his All American Status on the Gridiron earned him UConn Legend status...