ELON, N.C. – The Elon University football community was hit with a tough loss as it learned that former running back Bobby Hedrick '83, 57, had passed away on Sunday, November 1.

Hedrick is one of five Elon football players to have his number retired and helped lead the maroon and gold to its first football national title in 1980 when he rushed for 186 yards in the title game against Northeastern Oklahoma. In his four seasons, Hedrick was named all-conference, all-state and all-district four times and was a second-team All-America selection in 1978 and a first-team honoree in 1980.

Hedrick left Elon with 5,604 career rushing yards, an NAIA record and the second-highest total ever recorded by a collegiate running back at that time. Only Tony Dorsett of the University of Pittsburgh ran for more yards. Hedrick also rushed for 60 career touchdowns. He led the team in rushing in each of his four seasons – running for 1,177 yards as a freshman in 1977, 1,505 yards in 1978, 1,129 yards in 1979 and 1,793 yards his senior campaign. Hedrick still holds the program records for career rushing yards as well as carry marks for a game (48 vs. Newberry in 1978), season (385 in 1978) and career (1,259). His 5,604 career rushing yards are over 1,200 yards more than any other Elon running back has ever amassed.

Hedrick was inducted into the Elon Sports Hall of Fame in 1990.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, November 8, at 1:30 p.m. at Evangel Fellowship Word Ministries located at 2207 East Cone Boulevard in Greensboro, N.C.