Football 10/28/2022 3:23:00 PM Chris Brannick

Broncho Standout Joe Aska Returns With Special Purpose

EDMOND – Joe Aska, UCO's decorated running back who went on to the play in the NFL, will return to campus with a special purpose this Saturday as part of the school's annual Homecoming festivities.

Aska, a third-round draft pick of the then Los Angeles Raiders, has partnered with The True You Organization, Inc., to sign autographs for donations to benefit True You, which exists to provide free counseling, coaching and mentoring services to men and women who have survived trauma.

Aska will be available at the Homecoming festival, which runs from 10 a.m. to Noon in parking lot 53, just west of UCO's Chad Richison Stadium. He'll remain present through tailgating activities leading up to the Bronchos' 2 p.m. game against Pittsburg State, before heading to the field to participate in the pregame coin toss.

Fans also will opportunity during the game to meet Joe and get his autograph, with the autograph booth being relocated to the Northwest corner of the stadium concourse after kickoff. Aska will remain available until midway through the second quarter.

Tickets for the football game can be purchased online at www.bronchosports.com/tickets.

ABOUT TRUE YOU
The True You Organization, Inc., is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that raises funds to help men, women and children who have been through trauma to get counseling, coaching and mentoring services at no cost to them. The organization also offers a variety of free programming, including the development of core characteristics, teaching of necessary life skills and assisting with community connections. Learn more at www.thetrueyoumovement.org.

ABOUT JOE ASKA
Joe Aska had a remarkable two-year career at UCO in 1993 and 1994 in becoming one of the top all-around athletes in school history.

Aska joined the football team as a junior college transfer in 1993 and rushed for 320 yards on 41 carries, highlighted by an 84-yard touchdown run that sparked the Bronchos to a 28-24 upset of No. 7-ranked Angelo state.

He followed that up in the winter by becoming UCO's first NCAA Division II track national champion, capturing the 55-meter dash indoor title in an astounding 6.21 seconds. Aska was also an outdoor All-American in the 100-meter dash.

Joe came back in 1994 and enjoyed one of the best football seasons in school history, rushing for a school-record 1,629 yards and 15 touchdowns. He set single-game school records for carries, with 45 in a 241-yard outing against Texas A&M Commerce, and yards with an eye-popping 312 on 26 tries against Langston.

Aska was named the Lone Star Conference Back of the Year, a consensus first-team All-American and finished third in the Harlon Hill Trophy balloting for Division II Player of the Year. He played in two postseason all-star games, winning most valuable player honors at the nationally televised Blue-Grey game.

Aska played three years in the NFL.

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