Archie Griffin

Archie Griffin, President & CEO of the Ohio State Alumni Association is the leader of a worldwide network of more than 450,000 alumni. Archie Griffin is known as the only two-time winner of the prestigious Heisman Trophy, symbolic of “The Outstanding College Football Player of the Country.” He was a three-time All American in 1973, 1974, and 1975. He received many awards and recognitions during his college career. In 2006, Griffin was listed in NCAA’s “100 Most Influential Student-Athletes” and was appointed to the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Board of Directors.

He has received the 2007 Duffy Daugherty Award presented by Michigan State University given to individuals for lifetime achievement and contribution to collegiate football. In 2006, he was presented with the Ernie Davis Humanitarian Award. And, locally, he has been inducted in the Ohio High School Athletic Association Circle of Champions, which recognizes former Ohio high school student-athletes who have demonstrated outstanding character and accomplishments both on and off the field.

Griffin earned his degree in industrial relations. In 1976, he was a first-round draft choice of the Cincinnati Bengals, where he served as co-captain and played with the franchise for seven years.

Griffin created the Archie Griffin Scholarship Fund, which benefits Ohio State’s Olympic sports programs. He and his wife, Bonita, formed the Archie and Bonita Griffin Foundation Fund that helps develop sports, educational, and travel programs for youth in central Ohio. Archie is the spokesperson for the Wendy’s High School Heisman Program and is also a member of many charitable organizations, including the Columbus Foundation, Columbus Youth Foundation, Centennial Honorary Committee for the Central Ohio Breathing Association, Advisory Board for the ADA’s Advocacy Leadership Council of the American Diabetes Association, Columbus Metropolitan Library Foundation Board, and serves as honorary chair of the Diversity Enhancement Program for The James Cancer Hospital and Research Institute. He also serves on Columbus’ 2012 Bicentennial Commission for Sports and Recreation Focus Group.