William Brooks M.B.A. '96
Hilton Ultimus Brown Alumni Achievement Award, 2000
Bill Brooks grew up in Roxbury, Mass., a suburb of Boston. A
standout at Framingham North High School in both basketball and
football, Brooks accepted a football scholarship to attend Boston
University in 1982. Brooks started at Boston University for four
years, setting school career records that remain unsurpassed.
In 1986, Bill was the fourth-round draft pick of the
Indianapolis Colts. In his rookie season, Bill caught for the
second most yards in a single season by a Colts player. In his
seven seasons with the Colts, Bill caught more career passes for
the most yards gained by any receiver in Colts history, except for
Raymond Barry of the Baltimore Colts. In 1992, Bill was nominated
by the NFL Players' Association for the Whizzer White Award, a
national tribute to the players most esteemed by their peers for
their contributions on and off the field.
In 1993, Bill became a free agent and signed a three-year
contract with the Buffalo Bills. In his first year, he made a trip
to the Super Bowl. In the 1995 season, Bill turned in the season of
his life, catching 11 touchdown passes-the most in a single season
by any Buffalo Bills player in history-and he was selected as an
alternate to the 1996 Pro-Bowl Team.
All totaled, Bill has played in 154 games over 10 seasons in the
NFL, catching 566 passes for 7,777 yards and 46 touchdowns.
In 1999, the Colts were fortunate enough to snag Bill to work
the other side of the game. As director of community development
and player relations, he has played a vital role in the
ever-strengthening relationship between Indianapolis and the
Colts.
His own community service contributions are innumerable. He has
acted as official spokesperson for College Goal Sunday, a statewide
college financial-aid assistance program. In addition, he has been
spokesperson and/or keynote speaker for Yes to School No to
Drugs , 21st Century Scholars Program, United Way, Big
Brothers, Big Sisters and several community youth sports programs,
just to name a few.
Bill received a masters degree in business administration from
Butler University in 1996. He served on the College of Business
Administration's Board of Visitors from 1994-1996. He received a
Sagamore of the Wabash award in 1990. Bill and his wife, Holly,
have a daughter, Brianna.
In the pioneering and indomitable spirit of Hilton Ultimus
Brown, Bill's professional and personal accomplishments have
affected a vast community of people. A positive role model for
youth and peers alike, Bill continues to give back, reach out and
make a difference.
Updated 2000