By Justin Graves

Justin@athensnews-courier.com

ATHENS – Cody Gross knows what he accomplished at North Alabama was special, but he didn’t consider his accomplishments would get in the UNA Sports Hall of Fame on the first ballot.

Perhaps Gross is just being modest? He led the Lions to three consecutive Division II National Championships from 1993-1995 as starting quarterback, was the recipient of numerous individual accolades, posted a 41-2 record as the Lions’ quarterback, was 12-1 in the Division II playoffs and is still a sports icon on campus today. He also set school records for career rushing touchdowns and touchdowns scored (40), career touchdowns responsible for (65) and career total offense (5,614).

So why wouldn’t Gross think he would get in on the first ballot?

“There were a lot of great players on those teams,” he said. “It’s a huge honor to be selected to the hall of fame, especially when there are so many other guys who are equally worthy of the honor.”

Gross, who is now an assistant football coach at Athens High School, will be joined by three of his teammates Jon Thompson, Israel Raybon and Keith Humphrey.

The four standouts from the 1996 championship team will join some of their other teammates from the previous championship teams such as Tyrone Rush and Jeff Redcross. Athletes are eligible for the hall of fame 10 years after graduation.

“It’s a tremendous honor to be one of the first players off that team to be selected,” Gross said. “There were a lot good players at UNA during our championship runs and several of those guys will join us during the next few years. The sad thing is a lot of good players will be left out.”

Gross has several good memories from his time at UNA. Before 1993, the Lions had always been a good Division II football team, but was never able to get over the hump and advance to the championship game.

When Bobby Wallace arrived at UNA everything changed. Wallace transformed the Lions into more of an option style offense. Since Gross was an option quarterback under Ronnie Ritter at Lauderdale County, he was a perfect fit.

The Lions took off with Wallace at the helm and eventually got the hometown team into Division II National Championship game that’s held in Florence every year.

“To be part of something like that is awesome,” Gross said. “There was a lot of excitement at Braly Stadium during those years.”

Gross was just one of several local standouts UNA featured during its dynasty years. He believes that closeness is why so many local fans latched onto the Lions.

“Everyone loves a winner, but there were a lot of local guys on the team and that made what we were doing even more special,” Gross said. “Having a lot of local talent on the team really brought out the local fans.”

Since 1996, UNA has reached the Division II semifinals in 2003 and 2005, but fell short of the championship game both times.

Wallace left UNA for Temple in 1996, but resigned last year. He is now in his first year as head coach at West Alabama.

UNA annual induction ceremony will be held at the Guillot University Center at 9:30 a.m. on October 14.