Rockford University

Nick Colon becomes just the second Rockford University football player, and the first defensive player, to be enshrined in the Charles M. DeWild Hall of Fame. Colon spent his entire four-year career (2003-06) as a Regent and was a key piece to Rockford’s success on the field. The Regents posted a 7-3 record in all four years, which is tied for the best four-year stretch in program history for both wins (28) and winning percentage (.700). During his senior season, Colon helped lead the Regents to both their first Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) South Division Title and a berth in the UMAC Championship Game in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome.

Colon was not only one of the best defensive players in program history, but also one of the best and most reliable linebackers in both the conference and region. He never missed a game in his four-year career and compiled an impressive list of postseason awards. Colon was selected First Team All-UMAC South Division as both a sophomore and junior. He was also named Honorable Mention All-Region by Don Hansen’s Football Gazette during his junior year. However, Colon’s most decorated season came during his senior year, where he earned an impressive six postseason accolades. He was named First Team All-UMAC South Division for the third consecutive season, selected as both the UMAC South Division Defensive MVP and the overall UMAC Defensive MVP, voted Third Team All-Region by D3football.com, selected Honorable Mention All-Region by Don Hansen’s Football Gazette for the second straight year and named UMAC Academic All-Conference. Colon finished his career with 213 tackles, 33.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 6 forced fumbles, 5 fumble recoveries and 2 interceptions. 

Throughout his career, Colon was one of the main reasons Rockford had one of the best defenses not only in the UMAC, but also in all of NCAA Division III football. The Regents’ defense was ranked in the top 20 nationally in multiple categories in 2004, 2005 and 2006, including seven top 20 rankings in Colon’s senior year. During that season, Rockford was ninth in rushing defense and turnovers created, tenth in interceptions, twelfth in total defense, fourteenth in fumble recoveries and sixteenth in scoring defense and pass efficiency defense. However, the Regents’ highest ranking came in 2004, when Rockford boasted the top run defense in all of NCAA Division III, allowing just 67.3 rushing yards per game.