Hall of Fame
Hitchens received all-Mid-American Conference honors as a tailback for three consecutive years from 1971-83. His junior year was a banner season as he established five Miami records and was selected the most valuable player on the team, the offensive player of the year in the MAC, Miami's athlete of the year, and gained All-America honors from the Associated Press. He holds the single game record for most rushes with 45 against South Carolina. Hitchen's four season marks include 326 carries for 1,370 yards and 15 touchdowns (90 points). He also holds four career records with 773 rushing attempts for 3,118 yards and 34 touchdowns (204 points).
Playing under Coach Mallory for three years, Hitchens helped lead Miami to an 11-0 season as a co-captain his senior year that included an MAC title and a Tangerine Bowl victory over Florida. His football jersey number 40 was retired, making him the second player to be honored following John Pont. Following graduation, Hitchens played professional football for two years with the New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers. He then went on to serve as an assistant football coach and helped lead Carnegie-Mellon University to three President's Conference championships and two semi-final finishes in the NCAA District III playoffs. He joined Miami's staff as an assistant football coach from 1980 to 1987. He was inducted into the Miami Hall of Fame in 1980.
