Rocky Mount, N.C.—George Rogers, the South Carolina football hero who won the Heisman Trophy in 1980, Mike Rozier, Nebraska's 1983 Heisman winner, and Rocky Mount's own football, baseball, and basketball superstar, Danny Talbott, were back in the limelight January 9 at the Dunn Center, where they delighted more than 300 guests at Wesleyan's Football Gala. The evening reception, dinner, and auction of sports memorabilia raised over $65,000 to help Wesleyan add NCAA Division III football in the fall.

The gala title sponsor was Roger G. Taylor and Associates-AXA Advisors. Sodexho Campus Services sponsored the gala event.

Taylor, a 1970 Wesleyan graduate, a trustee, and the College's first basketball All-American, said in a letter in the gala program, "Football will significantly affect Wesleyan as a whole by increasing enrollment, strengthening campus spirit, and encouraging students, alumni, and the community to become more involved in the life of the College. Even more importantly, football will have a positive and lasting effect on the lives of the student-athletes who participate."

Dr. Philip Ellmore, Wesleyan's vice president of development, said the idea for the event evolved from a desire to reach out for community support of the football program. "We thought people would be excited about it," Ellmore said. "Judging from the turnout, they were. We hope the momentum will continue as football gets underway next fall."