Troy Aikman was an All-American quarterback at UCLA in 1988 and then won three Super Bowls as quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys. In 2001, he retired after a brilliant, 11-year NFL career. Five years later, he entered the league’s hall of fame. He’s still considered one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the sport.
He can now add one more accomplishment to that impressive list ““ UCLA graduate.
Aikman finished his final class and earned a UCLA degree this fall, almost 20 years after he left Westwood for the NFL. The school honored Aikman Saturday at halftime of the basketball game at Pauley Pavilion.
“It was an amazing feeling when I finished,” he said in an interview. “In the list of accomplishments, this would rank pretty high.”
Aikman needed only two more classes in order to graduate when the Cowboys drafted him with the first overall choice in the 1989 draft. But because Aikman signed a professional contract that April, he needed to move to Dallas immediately following the draft. He promised his mother, Charlyn, that one day he would finish those two classes and graduate.
Years passed, and with a hectic schedule and a family in Texas, Aikman all but decided he would never have time to complete his final courses.
But in 2007, Aikman received a call from UCLA Associate Athletic Director Bob Field. Field had coached Aikman when he played for UCLA. He suggested two online courses to Aikman that he could complete in order to graduate.
“He really went out of his way to make it happen,” Aikman said.
Aikman now works as a broadcaster for Fox, and he also hosts a radio show. Still, he found time to take one class last spring and the second this fall.
He returned to Westwood Friday, his first trip back since 2006. He had hoped to play golf, but couldn’t because of the rain. Instead, he had lunch with David Norrie, another former Bruin quarterback, and toured the campus. He spoke with former basketball coach John Wooden before Saturday’s game, which the Bruins won 89-63, and then gave a speech at halftime.
Aikman said that the thing that has always made UCLA special is the people on campus and everyone who represents the school.
“I thank you for making an old alum feel real special when I come home,” he said at the end of the speech.
Aikman did not have time to meet with current UCLA football coach Rick Neuheisel, although the two shared a close relationship when Aikman played here.
Neuheisel was a volunteer assistant in 1986 when Aikman arrived at UCLA as a transfer from Oklahoma. Aikman had to sit out the season, but instead of practicing with the scout team, he worked exclusively with Neuheisel. The two spent every day of that season together, and Aikman said it was one of the most valuable years of his career because he learned so much studying film with Neuheisel.
On Saturday he praised Neuheisel’s recruiting and predicted that the Bruin football team will improve under Neuheisel’s leadership.
“I’m not surprised by the success,” Aikman said.
But he seemed most excited when asked about the pride he finally feels now that he’s earned a UCLA diploma.
“My buddies think it sounds corny, they all did this 20 years ago,” said Aikman, who is 42 years old. “But I just feel so proud.”
Aikman said he will walk with other graduating seniors this June. His mother will be there watching.