University of Massachusets Athletics
Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 2001
- Class:
- 1983
Garry Pearson was a two-time first team all-American (1981 and 1982) for the Minutemen, and helped UMass football to three Yankee Conference titles in his four seasons.
Pearson set new standards for running backs at UMass in his four-year tenure. Spending only three seasons in the backfield, Pearson graduated as the school's career leader in rushing (3,859 yards) and all-purpose yardage (5,277 yards).
During his freshman year, Pearson was used almost exclusively to return kicks, before becoming a starting running back as a sophomore.
Pearson capped off his UMass career in spectacular fashion, rushing for a then-record 288 yards against American International College in his final collegiate game.
He was inducted into the UMass Athletics Hall of Fame in 2001.
