Bowling Green State University Athletics
Mike Weger To Be Inducted Into The Cast Of Honor
October 09, 2019 | Football
In recognition of the 100th anniversary of Bowling Green State University Football, the BGSU Department of Athletics will induct ten football players into the Cast of Honor, recognizing the "Best of the Best" by hanging their names and numbers in Doyt L. Perry Stadium.
The criteria for selecting members to the Cast of Honor is extensive. The nominee must have received his or her undergraduate degree from BGSU or, in the event of early pursuit of a professional career, must have been a student in good academic standing and made significant progress towards a degree. The candidate must have been at least 10 years removed from graduation and be a member of the BGSU Athletics Hall of Fame, and must have exceptional athletic qualifications such as national award recognition, All-American status, and/or conference player of the year status. Finally, personal conduct, character, integrity, and community and University standing were considered.
Full Cast of Honor Release
Football's 100th Anniversary Page
Part One: Bernie Casey
Part Two: Fred Durig
Part Three: Josh Harris
Part Four: Jack Hecker
Part Five: Kory Lichtensteiger
Part Six: Mark Miller
Part Seven: Vince Palko
Part Eight: Phil Villapiano
Today we look at Mike Weger '67, who lettered for Bowling Green from 1964-66.
Mike Weger was a third team AP All-American in 1965, the first major college All-American in program history. A first team All-MAC performer in both 1965 and 1966, Weger was named team MVP in each of those campaigns. Weger played on the 1964 and 1965 MAC Championship teams and was captain of the 1966 team that finished 6-3.
He played in the 1966 Senior Bowl and 1966 Blue-Gray Classic before being selected by the Detroit Lions in the ninth round of the 1967 NFL Draft. Weger played safety for the Lions form 1967-75 and then with the Houston Oilers from 1976-77. He was twice named honorable mention All-Pro and finished his career with 17 interceptions, six fumble recoveries and two defensive touchdowns. He played a small part as himself in the 1968 film Paper Lion, singing Ay Ziggy Zoomba in the film. Weger was inducted into the BGSU Hall of Fame in 1972.
"My father was a professor of music at Bowling Green, but I grew up in Oklahoma. Bud Wilkinson was the head coach there and they sent me a letter saying that we want you to come down and look at the University. He said that they'd make me into an All-American. Doyt Perry had offered me a full ride and he told me that at least I'd know I'm getting an education at Bowling Green.
"I called Coach Wilkinson to tell him that I'd decided to go to Bowling Green and he told me that I'm making a big mistake and that I'd never be an All-American at Bowling Green. BG had just turned to major college football my sophomore year and I was starting both ways my junior year. At the end of the year, Doyt Perry told me that I'd become the first major college All-American in Bowling Green history. Then he smirked and asked me if I was going to call Bud Wilkinson.
In the end, my decision to go to Bowling Green came down to the fact that I was going to get a good education. I was just hoping to the make the football squad. I'm the only person who can make myself into an All-American or make something of myself. I appreciate who you are, but ultimately it's got to come from me. At Bowling Green, I saw what was necessary to be successful in life. Nobody told me that they'd take it easy on me or make sure I passed a course. Everyone respected where I came from but they said that this is your life. You are going to make it or not based on who you are and what you want to accomplish. It was such a positive, constructive community to grow up in."
The criteria for selecting members to the Cast of Honor is extensive. The nominee must have received his or her undergraduate degree from BGSU or, in the event of early pursuit of a professional career, must have been a student in good academic standing and made significant progress towards a degree. The candidate must have been at least 10 years removed from graduation and be a member of the BGSU Athletics Hall of Fame, and must have exceptional athletic qualifications such as national award recognition, All-American status, and/or conference player of the year status. Finally, personal conduct, character, integrity, and community and University standing were considered.
Full Cast of Honor Release
Football's 100th Anniversary Page
Part One: Bernie Casey
Part Two: Fred Durig
Part Three: Josh Harris
Part Four: Jack Hecker
Part Five: Kory Lichtensteiger
Part Six: Mark Miller
Part Seven: Vince Palko
Part Eight: Phil Villapiano
Today we look at Mike Weger '67, who lettered for Bowling Green from 1964-66.
Mike Weger was a third team AP All-American in 1965, the first major college All-American in program history. A first team All-MAC performer in both 1965 and 1966, Weger was named team MVP in each of those campaigns. Weger played on the 1964 and 1965 MAC Championship teams and was captain of the 1966 team that finished 6-3.
He played in the 1966 Senior Bowl and 1966 Blue-Gray Classic before being selected by the Detroit Lions in the ninth round of the 1967 NFL Draft. Weger played safety for the Lions form 1967-75 and then with the Houston Oilers from 1976-77. He was twice named honorable mention All-Pro and finished his career with 17 interceptions, six fumble recoveries and two defensive touchdowns. He played a small part as himself in the 1968 film Paper Lion, singing Ay Ziggy Zoomba in the film. Weger was inducted into the BGSU Hall of Fame in 1972.
"My father was a professor of music at Bowling Green, but I grew up in Oklahoma. Bud Wilkinson was the head coach there and they sent me a letter saying that we want you to come down and look at the University. He said that they'd make me into an All-American. Doyt Perry had offered me a full ride and he told me that at least I'd know I'm getting an education at Bowling Green.
"I called Coach Wilkinson to tell him that I'd decided to go to Bowling Green and he told me that I'm making a big mistake and that I'd never be an All-American at Bowling Green. BG had just turned to major college football my sophomore year and I was starting both ways my junior year. At the end of the year, Doyt Perry told me that I'd become the first major college All-American in Bowling Green history. Then he smirked and asked me if I was going to call Bud Wilkinson.
In the end, my decision to go to Bowling Green came down to the fact that I was going to get a good education. I was just hoping to the make the football squad. I'm the only person who can make myself into an All-American or make something of myself. I appreciate who you are, but ultimately it's got to come from me. At Bowling Green, I saw what was necessary to be successful in life. Nobody told me that they'd take it easy on me or make sure I passed a course. Everyone respected where I came from but they said that this is your life. You are going to make it or not based on who you are and what you want to accomplish. It was such a positive, constructive community to grow up in."
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