TOWSON, Md. - Dan Dullea, Towson University's former record-setting quarterback of the mid-seventies and the program's first football All-American, died suddenly at his home in Queenstown, Md. on December 7^th. He was 60-years-old.

A four-year starter and three-year captain, Dullea directed the Tigers to their only unbeaten season, a 10-0 mark in 1974. Two years later he was at the helm when Towson competed for the 1976 NCAA Division III National Football Championship in the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl. Despite losing 31-28 to St. John's (Minn.) on a game ending field goal, Dullea rallied the Tigers from a 28-0 deficit with 12:42 left in the contest to knot the score. The comeback still ranks as one of the greatest in Tiger Football history.

Over his four-year career Dullea helped Towson compile a 30-11 record, the best four-year record of any Towson quarterback.

A product of nearby Loyola High School where he was All-State and All-Metro, Dullea suffered a shoulder injury during his interscholastic career that was slow to heal. A number of colleges recruiting him backed off. Towson stepped in.

"We were very fortunate to recruit him," said former Tiger coach Phil Albert (1972-91). "He was probably the pivotal guy. The year before he came to Towson we were 1-9. He was the catalyst. He was the defining player. He made it happen. We would never have been able to go undefeated that year without him under center. He paved the way for a tradition of those drop back, throwing quarterbacks we had. He opened the program door and said if you come here you're going to get exposure and have fun playing the quarterback position."

When Dullea left Towson he took with him 26 records. Only one still exists; his 85-yard touchdown run in a 32-14 win at Federal City in 1974. That 41-year-old longest carry record is Towson's oldest individual player record.

"One of the greatest joys I have had in life was to be a teammate and friend of Dan Dullea," said Jim Holdridge, Dullea's offensive center and co-captain for the Stagg Bowl squad. "He was a quiet but natural leader. His confidence was infectious. With all of the accolades and attention showered on him he remained just Dan to all of his friends, coaches, and teammates. I will truly miss him but I'll never forget my time and life with him."

In 2009 Towson's Stagg Bowl team was honored as a Team of Distinction by the university's Athletic Hall of Fame. Dullea was elected by his teammates to offer the induction remarks. He addressed the banquet audience as a leader should, praising his teammates. He saved his most poignant remark until the end when he concluded, "We didn't love each other because we were winning. We were winning because we loved each other."

Mike Hilton, a senior in Dullea's freshman year, remembered the talent the Tigers had in their first-year signalcaller and what he later contributed to the program's development.

"I remember Dan as a quiet, confident freshman QB my senior year," Hilton said. "As the only senior on offense that year I was desperate to finish strong. The previous two years were both one-win seasons and tough to go through. I soon found out that Danny had some steel in him and knew the year would be different. It was, for me anyway. For me, going back that far in the program, Dan was an essential part of today's success at Towson. The team went 10-0 the next year and to the Stagg Bowl after that. We have lost a valuable piece of Towson football history too soon. For those of us in our 60's it is increasingly a part of our life to lose our teammates but it does not make it easy." 

As a contractor in private life specializing in painting and finishing, the former first team Kodak All-American was a strong advocate for preservation versus demolition. His family acknowledged "he enjoyed running, weightlifting, sailing and anything outdoors, along with reading, studying history and collecting antique furniture and boat models. Most of all he loved spending time with his family, especially on trips to New England."

"I can tell you this about Dan Dullea," said former Towson player and coach Gordy Combs. "As great of an athlete as he was he was a better teammate."

In addition to his mother Cecilia Dullea; Dan is survived by his loving wife Lee-Anne Dullea of Queenstown, MD; son Nathaniel M. Dullea; daughter Maura K. Dullea; brothers Maurice, Edward, and Brian, all residing out of state.
 
In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to the donor's favorite charity or the Huntington's Disease Society of America in honor of Dan's father, brother John, and nephew Connor, all who were afflicted with the disease. Online condolences may be made at www.fhnfuneralhome.com