John Sciarra

Bio

In his first two seasons, UCLA quarterback John Sciarra returned punts, as he was the backup to his roommate and future actor Mark Harmon. But in 1974, Sciarra got the starting job for new Head Coach Dick Vermeil. With a coaching change, the team installed a new offense (the veer) and the Bruins struggled to a 6-3-2 record. The following season Sciarra was one of the nation’s leaders with 2,100 yards of total offense. He also ran for 14 scores and passed for eight more as UCLA won the Pac Eight title. Sciarra was named a consensus All-America. John placed seventh in the Heisman vote and won nearly every academic or scholar-athlete award possible. He closed his career with an upset win over top-ranked Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. Taken in the fourth round of the 1976 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears, Sciarra opted to sign with the British Columbia Lions in the CFL, earning Rookie of the Year honors. The Los Angeles native went on to play six years for the Philadelphia Eagles, appearing in Super Bowl XV. He became an active volunteer with numerous charitable organizations, and served as the president and CEO of a retirement planning and administration firm.

Career Highlights

• 1975 Academic All-America
• 1975 All-Conference
• 1975 Consensus All-America
• 1975 Heisman - seventh
• 1975 NCAA Post-Graduate Scholar
• 1975 NFF Scholar-Athlete