University of Vermont Athletic Hall of Fame
Dr. Earl A. Olson 1973 - Football
A three-year letterwinner at quarterback and 1984 UVM Hall of Fame inductee, Earl Olson was the 1973 winner of the Sunderland Trophy and was one of the top passers in UVM football history.
Olson left the program holding 23 different offensive records at Vermont setting many as a senior in 1972 when he was among the nation's leaders in total and passing offense. He set single-season and career records for passes attempted (287 in 1972; 616 career), passes completed (148;308), touchdown passes (11; 23), passing yards (1,841; 3754) and total offense (1,755; 3,337).
In 1972 he set Yankee Conference records for yards passing (1,033 in conference games) and passes completed (84) to earn all-league honors. He ranked third in the NCAA in passing yards per game and 10th in total offense. Olson, just 5-foot-11, was twice named the team MVP (1970 and 1972).
A native of Rutland, Vt., he set his first school passing records as a sophomore in 1970 when he threw for 1,189 yards on 96 completions (96-for-211) and had nine touchdown passes. In a game against Lafayette in 1970, he was 21-for-44 for 315 yards.
After UVM, Olson tried out for several semi-pro football teams in the Northeast before entering Tufts Dental School.
