Born: 1956; Salt Lake City, UT

At 17, Bruce Hardy, was on the cover of Sports Illustrated, which deemed him "the best all-around schoolboy athlete in the U.S."

A Salt Lake City, Utah athletic phenomenon, Hardy, now the assistant coach for FIU football, earned all-state honors in three sports. He starred as a power-hitting catcher who was called "the best high school athlete seen in 20 years." He was also a Class AAA MVP in basketball and football in both his junior and senior years.

Now nearly 30 years later, Hardy, (seen in the FIU gym several times a week) recalls that talent and looks for it in young student athletes.
In 1978 he was drafted in the ninth round of the NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins and played with them at tight end until 1989. During that time, Hardy caught 256 passes for 2,455 yards and started in two Super Bowls.

Once finished with his playing career, Hardy easily transitioned to the sidelines and coached in the Arena Football League for six years, including one year with the Florida Bobcats. Now he'll help build an intercollegiate team from scratch.
Hardy has four sons, Nathan 21, Adam 19, Aaron 17, and Matthew 14