Paul DeVan (1993) - Hall of Fame

Paul DeVan

Induction:
1993
Class:
1949

In 1945, Des Moines native Paul DeVan started his football career at Iowa State Teachers College. He took 1946 off but was back in 1947. For the next three years, DeVan was a key member on the Panther gridiron, and ISTC won the North Central Conference title each year he played.

His first year back on the field, he led the NCC in scoring. The 1947 ISTC football "Dope Book" said he was a "sophomore back from the 1945 eleven. An excellent open field runner – also a tough line cracker." He played in four conference games and scored six touchdowns, tallying 36 points as a halfback. DeVan won honorable mention Little All-American honors that season.

In 1948, he once again was the big scorer in the NCC, scoring 54 conference points and a total of 66 including non-conference games. He led the Panthers in passing and rushing. He was selected all-conference for both defense and offense. In 1949, DeVan proved he was consistent, and once again was the league's high scorer with 42 points. He again was a two-way all-conference pick. He was also an AP first-team Little All-American. DeVan also was a member of the ISTC track team from 1947-49.

In 1953, he signed with the Los Angeles Rams, the moved to the Calgary Stampeders in Canada and Resigned in 1954 when a knee injury forced the end of his playing career. He then worked as a director with the Training and Research Foundation. During his professional career, he received many honors and awards, including being selected as Citizen Ambassador to Russia by the Citizen Ambassador Program of People to People International, founded by Dwight D. Eisenhower, for the purpose of professional, scientific and technical exchanges. He also published two books and manuals for the Head Start program.