Alan "The Horse" Ameche [cont'd]

Post-Gridiron Honors

Even after his career ended, Ameche continued to be recognized. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1975, and received two awards that recognize former players for distinguishing themselves off the playing field: the NCAA Silver Anniversary Award (1980) and the College Sports Information Directors Academic Hall of Fame (1992).

Of course, he was also celebrated in his home state. In 1969 he was named to Wisconsin's All-time team by fans, earning the title "All-time greatest player". He was inducted into the WI State Athletic Hall of Fame and the National W Club Hall of Fame, and received the WAA Distinguished Alumni Award.

Nor did Ameche forget his alma mater. During halftime at the Northwestern game in 1984, Alan Ameche presented his Heisman trophy to Athletic Director Elroy Hirsch as a gift to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It is currently on display in the lobby of Camp Randall Stadium.

Alan Ameche died on August 8, 1988, following a heart attack. Interestingly, years after Ameche's death, Yvonne got remarried—to Glenn Davis, the 1946 Heisman trophy winner who played for Army. One of their children also has another Heisman connection: Cathy Ameche married Michael Cappelletti, brother of Penn State's 1973 Heisman trophy winner John Cappelletti.

In 1991, Ameche was one of 35 charter members inducted into the UW Athletic Hall of Fame. In a special ceremony at Camp Randall on September 9, 2000, Alan Ameche's number was retired and his name was added to the historic stadium's façade, following that of Ron Dayne.

The honors continue to roll in. On December 31, 2004 he was named to the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame. The continued recognition that Ameche receives, decades after his career and even after his death, serves as a tribute to his dedication and hard work both on and off the field. Alan Ameche lives on in the memory, and in the record books, of UW.