From the committee to commemorate Elbert Dubenion.

An informal group of Bluffton University alumni is working on a project to recognize Elbert Dubenion, 1959 Bluffton College graduate, who played for nine seasons with the Buffalo Bills professional football team. He is the only Bluffton athlete to play professional football.

The first step in the recognition took place at the May 28 Bluffton council meeting. By unanimous vote, council members approved a proposal to name a portion of Bentley Road as “Honorary Elbert Dubenion Drive.” The proposal was brought to the council by its streets, alleys and sidewalk committee who met on May 23, after hearing from the alumni group.

That road portion will extend from the Yoder Recital Hall to the intersection of Elm-Augsburger and Bentley Road. As an honorary street name it will affect no addresses as there are no residences there. The official name of the road will continue as Bentley Road.

Street signs along the right-of-way will recognize the honorary status of Elbert Dubenion Drive.

Bluffton’s council’s action also approved placement of a granite rock with a plaque that would explain the significance of the honorary drive’s namesake. The street signs and rock and plaque will be sponsored by the committee.

This group has several additional ideas to recognize Dubenion. Among these is a statute, a scholarship and a ”44” jersey retirement ceremony. 

“Bluffton University has nurtured countless students whose achievements are outstanding in their chosen professions. One of those is Elbert Dubenion,” Fred Steiner, a member of the committee, explained to council members on May 28.

The following background information on Dubenion was also provided by the committee to council:

 “Dobe,” a student from 1955 to 1959, was more than an athlete. He was a kind, gentle, humble and much-beloved student with a constant smile and a great attitude. As a footnote to his character, students voted Dobe “Most Popular Man” at the 1959 Bluffton College May Day.

His recognition outside campus equaled his on-campus reputation. He volunteered as an assistant midget football coach, creating a role model for many young boys, whose acquaintances continued for a lifetime. As an example, while playing for the Buffalo Bills, he even wrote letters to several of these players. 

In his first year at Bluffton, Dobe worked on the Bluffton village street crew. As a town celebrity, downtown business owners were among his most loyal fans, making him the most recognized Bluffton student for a generation of those community leaders.

Because Dobe “made it to the NFL” unlike any other Bluffton athlete, his local fan base – the entire Bluffton community – had the pleasure for nine seasons to follow his outstanding football career with the Buffalo Bills.

He was among the first class to be inducted into the university athletic hall of fame. He frequently returned to campus following graduation. He financially supported the university. His daughter and grand-nephew attended Bluffton.

Dubenion died on Dec. 26, 2019, at his residence in Westerville, Ohio. His wife, Marilyn, is also a Bluffton College graduate.

Members of the committee involved in the various projects to recognize Elbert Dubenion are Tom Benroth, Jim “Spike” Berry, Jim Buffenbarger, Charles Buroker, Larry Copeland, Everett Collier, Don Hostetler, Gene Long,  Ronald Lora, Mary Ramseyer, Richard Ramseyer and Fred Steiner.

Athletic achievements of Elbert Dubenion

Bluffton College football player 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958

1955

• As a first-year Bluffton student he was a member of the Bluffton village street crew

• Averaged 11.5 yards per carry in 107 rushing attempts, totaling 1,236 yards in 8 games,

   averaged 154.4 yards per game

• Scored 9 touchdowns; shortest was 16 yards, longest 96 yards

• Scored 3 touchdowns versus Findlay

• Ran track, 100-yard dash clocked in 10 seconds “or better”; best time 9.8 seconds

1956

• Scored 12 touchdowns; hampered by injuries, gained 1,236 yards in 107 rushing attempts

• Greatest game? Versus Hiram, injured and played in only 1 play, which he entered the lineup    

   and “hobbled” 80 yards for the game’s winning touchdown 

1957 

• Scored 15 touchdowns, rushed for 1,340 yards in 161 carries

• Versus Ohio Northern, scored on a 98-yard run, carried the ball 10 plays for 270 yards, scored

   3 TDs, retired for the afternoon mid-way in the second quarter

1958

• Named to UPI All-Ohio football team as first team halfback

• Team rushed for 3,015 yards in 9 games, Dubenion turning in 1,290 yards in 151 carries

• Was third leading rusher in the nation among small colleges

   An average of 8.54 yards per carry; caught 9 passes for 240 yards; total

   offensive effort of 1,530 yards, an average of 170 yards per game

• Scored 17 touchdowns for 102 points

• Tom Fitzpatrick, Lima News sports columnist called Dubenion
   “the best small college back in the country”

• Scored 2 touchdowns in first 3 carries versus Ashland, rushed for 229 yards in 15 attempts

• Named to the Williamson Football Foundation “All-American Team”

• Selected as 1 of the 33-member All-Star team in a game versus Baltimore Colts, 1959

Professional career

• Member of the Buffalo Bills for 9 seasons from 1960 to 1968

• Selected to the Pro Bowl, and first-team AP All-Pro, 1964

• In 1964 he scored 10 TDs, 27 yards per catch on 42 receptions for 1,139 yards (14 games)

• Ranks 7th all-time in the AFL in receptions and reception yardage

• Selected as a member of the Bills Silver Anniversary Team as a wide receiver, 1984

• Member of the American Football League Hall of Fame

• Member of the Buffalo Bills Wall of Fame

• In 9 professional seasons caught 296 passes for 5,309 yards and 35 touchdowns

• Holds record for longest reception in AFL playoff history, 93-yard reception for a TD in 1963