Hall of Fame
Chardon, Ohio, product Rick Sems emerged as the most-decorated wide receiver in Grove City College football history during his career from 1989 to 1992.
A standout at flanker, Sems graduated as Grove City’s career leader with 174 career receptions and 2,550 receiving yards. Upon induction, he remains the only Grove City player with two seasons of 1,000 receiving yards or more.
In 1991, Sems set Grove City’s single-season record by catching 73 passes in the Wolverines’ nine games. He became first player in program history to surpass the 1,000-yard standard as he finished the season with 1,023 yards.
Sems led the Presidents’ Athletic Conference in both statistical categories and earned First Team All-PAC recognition following the season. He ranked second nationally in catches per game and earned the team’s Junior of the Year award.
The next season, Sems helped the Wolverines earn their firstever NCAA South Region ranking. Grove City opened the season by winning its first five games, which marked the program’s best start since 1926. Sems again led the conference with 62 receptions for 1,006 yards. He earned First Team All-PAC honors while becoming Grove City’s career leader in receptions and receiving yards during the 1992 season.
Sems earned the team’s Most Valuable Player award following his senior season.
As a sophomore, Sems caught a Grove City-high 32 passes. He is one of five men to lead the team in receptions three times. Sems also earned Grove City’s Rookie of the Year award in 1989.
The College honored Sems as its Sportsman of the Year for the 1992-93 academic year.
He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1993. Sems then completed his master’s of business of administration at the University of Michigan in 2000.
