Central Directions: September 27, 2002
Renaissance Dallas Hotel - Dallas, Texas

Keynote: Roger Staubach Former All-Pro Quarterback with the Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl MVP and Heisman Trophy Winner from Navy Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee

To be a success in the NFL, quarterbacks need brains, a strong, accurate arm, mobility and a certain amount of courage. Roger Staubach ¾ Hall of Fame passer for the Dallas Cowboys from 1969 until 1979 ¾ displayed another skill that enabled him to become one of the best to play the position. Patience.

In 1969 Roger Staubach joined the Dallas Cowboys as a 27-year-old rookie, became the starting quarterback in his third season in 1971, and for the next nine seasons, led the Dallas attack. The Cowboys played in six NFC Championship Games, won four of them, and also won Super Bowls VI and XII during Staubach's career.

After being appointed to the Naval Academy, Staubach won the Heisman Trophy in 1963 during his junior year. At the time he was the fourth junior to win the Heisman Trophy. Navy coach Wayne Hardin called him "the greatest quarterback Navy ever had." Staubach was one of the hottest prospects in college football in 1963. A splendid NFL career beckoned, but Staubach had to finish his required service of four years with the armed forces. After being picked by the Cowboys, Staubach was forced to wait five years before breaking into the NFL in 1969 as a 27-year-old not-so-young rookie. He threw his first competitive pass for Dallas in 1969, and although Staubach did not become a regular starter for Landry's side until 1971, he showed flashes of brilliance during his rookie year.

Staubach became the most exciting quarterback of the '70s. Roger led Dallas to Super Bowls VI, X, XII and XIII., losing only X and XIII to the Pittsburgh Steelers. During his career, Staubach developed a reputation for pulling out victories when defeat looked inevitable. His refusal to give up lost causes meant he led the Cowboys to 23 come-from-behind victories in the fourth quarter.

Many sports fans and professional reporters consider Staubach one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, along with Johnny Unitas and Joe Montana. Making Staubach particularly dangerous was his ability to scramble out of trouble. His 410 career rushes netted him 2,264 yards and 20 touchdowns. He led the NFL in passing four times, was named to six Pro Bowls, and was named All-NFC four times. Staubach developed a reputation for making the big play. He was named the most valuable player of Super Bowl VI and provided the offensive spark in a defense-dominated victory in Super Bowl XII.

Leadership remains one of the most outstanding qualities for which Staubach is remembered. "I coached the College All-Star game for 10 years," said Otto Graham, himself a great passer with the Cleveland Browns. "Of all the quarterbacks in that game, Roger was the best. He was a great leader ¾ that's the most important thing for a quarterback."

"He had an air about him," said the late Sid Luckman, a Hall of Fame quarterback with the Chicago Bears. "You knew someone special was on the field." When Staubach retired after the 1979 season he was the highest-ranked passer of all time, as he completed 1,685 passes for 22,700 yards and 153 touchdowns in what basically amounted to eight years as a starter.

"There wasn't a player on the Cowboys who didn't look to him and think, 'As long as we have Roger we have a chance to win,'" said one NFL coach. Staubach was also known for the way he conducted himself off the field. "His was the type of image you wanted in the game for young people," Landry once said. Part of that is Staubach's vibrant Catholic faith. Another aspect is his family life: He married a girl from his hometown and is the proud father of five.

Looking back on his outstanding career, Staubach admitted it was hard having to wait so long to get his NFL chance. "Patience isn't one of my overwhelming qualities," he said. "I was frustrated." When asked how he would like to be remembered, Staubach replied: "As a pretty darn consistent quarterback."

Breakfast Book Signing
All reseller customers who attend the conference buffet breakfast on September 27 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. can meet Roger Staubach and receive a FREE pre-signed Roger football photo.

Patrick O. Connelly

Senior Vice President of Worldwide Credit Services at Tech Data, Mr. Connelly has a broad range of experience in developing domestic and international credit programs. Prior to joining Tech Data, he was Worldwide Director of Credit for UNISYS Corporation in Bluebell, Pa., where he was instrumental in the overall credit services performance and development of the company's worldwide training, credit policies and procedures. Connelly has also held chief credit executive positions at Wang Laboratories in Lowell, Mass., and Porteous, Mitchell & Braun, a Maine-based regional department store retailer. Mr. Connelly is a Vietnam veteran who served from 1964-1972. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas and a master's degree in business administration from the University of South Florida. He's earned the Executive Award from the NACM Graduate School of Credit & Financial Management at Dartmouth College, and the International Executive Award from FCIB's Global Management Program, Georgetown University. Mr. Connelly is on the faculty of the Graduate School of Credit and Financial Management offered by NACM through Dartmouth College, and on the faculty of the College of Business at the University of South Florida, teaching global trade at the graduate and undergraduate levels.