Monmouth to Retire Miles Austin’s Jersey

Monmouth University will retire the jersey of former football standout and current Dallas Cowboy Miles Austin at the men’s basketball game against Saint Peter’s on Saturday February 22, 2014.

Austin, a standout wide receiver for MU from 2002-05, became the first Hawk to sign with a National Football League team when the Dallas Cowboys signed him prior to the 2006 season. The eight-year NFL veteran has twice been named to the Pro Bowl (2009, 2010) and holds the franchise record for receiving yardage in a game (250 yards) and longest kickoff return in a playoff game (93 yards).

The Garfield, N.J. native left West Long Branch as the Hawks all-time leader in receptions (150), reception yardage (2,867), receiving touchdowns (33) and scoring (216 points). During his four years, Austin helped lead Monmouth to back-to-back Northeast Conference Championships in 2003 and 2004. He is Monmouth’s only three-time first team all-conference selection at wide receiver.

His 20.5 yards per catch in 2005 is still a Monmouth record while the playmaker owns the top-3 single-season receiving touchdown spots led by his 12 scores in 2003. He amassed 33 touchdowns over his four years with the next closest player 12 scores behind him while Austin’s 2,867 receiving yards is tops by over 600 yards. Austin’s 235 receiving yards and four touchdown catches against Sacred Heart in 2005 still stand as Hawk records today.

“I think it is fitting and appropriate that Miles Austin’s jersey is the first in program history to be retired,” said Monmouth head coach Kevin Callahan. “Miles has made significant contributions to the program, he set a standard for a level of performance at Monmouth and has continued to that in the NFL. Miles has remained very close to the Monmouth program and frequently returns to campus to interact with our players. He has been and continues to be, a great ambassador of not just the football team but also the entire Monmouth University community.”

Austin’s success paved the way for three other Hawks to make the NFL ranks, including current Buffalo Bill wide receiver Chris Hogan and Washington Redskin safety Jose Gumbs. The University recently announced the 15 million dollar Monmouth Stadium project which aims to replace and upgrade Kessler Field, the Hawks’ home field since the program’s inception in 1993. The stadium project announcement comes on the heels of the program joining the Big South Conference beginning in the 2014 season.

The Hawks’ game against Saint Peter’s on February 22nd, which will be broadcast live on ESPN3, will also feature a special ticketing offer for all MU alums and their friends and family. For the remaining home basketball games, including the February 22nd game with the Peacocks, all MU alums are invited back to The MAC for the special reduced rate of $7 for lower-level seating and $5 for upper-level seating, while all seating at women’s games is $5. To get this special discount, alumni can call the Box Office at 732-263-6889 or click on the ‘Tickets’ tab on GoMUHawks.com and use promo code ‘Alumni’ for reduced tickets. Any family and friends that want to use this special discount have to be accompanied to the game by an MU alum. All Monmouth alums are invited back to campus to witness this special ceremony, as well as enjoy some great basketball action in The MAC.

Miles Austin Career Snapshot
Three-time First Team All-Conference selection
2,687 receiving yards (1st all-time at MU)
33 receiving touchdowns (1st all-time at MU)
12 100-yard receiving games (1st all-time at MU)
150 receptions (2nd all-time at MU)
216 points (3rd all-time at MU)
Owns only two 200+ yard receiving games in school history
235 receiving yards in a single game (MU record)
4 touchdowns in a single game (MU record)