BRIDGEVILLE — Steve Minton was the heart of Thiel College's offense during the school's best football season ever.

He left the field under horrifying circumstances midway through his senior campaign.

The running back and Seneca Valley graduate suffered a broken neck on a play that curtailed the career of one of the Tomcats' most decorated players ever.

“I was running the ball straight through the center of the line and just got hit the wrong way,” Minton recalled. “I had three fractures in my neck.

“I was lucky. Other than spending four days in the hospital, I wasn't paralyzed at all. I easily could have been.”

That was in 2007, Minton's senior year at Thiel. He went on to graduate in 2008 and had neck surgery seven years later, “when I finally felt comfortable enough to have it done,” he said.

Minton will return to Thiel's campus Oct. 11, as part of the 39th induction class into the Thiel College Athletic Hall of Fame.

Dave Hendricks — an offensive tackle who blocked for Minton at Thiel and was a four-time All-Presidents' Athletic Conference performer — is one of the five other inductees.

“I'm excited to be going into the Hall with Dave,” Minton said. “He was a fantastic lineman. Most of the accomplishments I had there, I owe to him.

“I'm not surprised I'm being inducted, really, but I'm very surprised I'm going in this soon. I always thought you had to wait a lot of years for something like this.”

Minton's production as a running back made him an easy choice. He still holds Thiel football records of 645 rushing attempts, 216 points scored and 35 rushing touchdowns.

He held the career rushing record of 2,970 yards until three years ago, when quarterback Ryan Radke broke the mark with 3,004.

“I would have extended a few of those records some if I hadn't gotten hurt,” Minton said. “I figured most of those marks would have been broken by now.

“I hope they do get surpassed because that would mean the program is doing well.”

Minton's most productive season occurred during Thiel's best season. He rushed for 1,066 yards, scored 114 points and 19 rushing touchdowns in 2005, when the Tomcats finished 10-0 in the regular season, won the PAC championship and became the first Thiel football team to reach the NCAA Division III playoffs, host and win a playoff game.

“I rushed for 217 yards in the game that clinched the PAC title for us,.” Minto said. “My grandfather died that week and we were very close.

“His funeral was Wednesday and I missed football practice that entire week. I was there for the Friday night film session, then went out and played Saturday.

“The 19 rushing touchdowns that year ... That's the one record of mine I think will stand for a long time,” he added.

Minton did not become a starter until nearly the midway point of his freshman season. He rushed for 186 yards against Bethany in his first game as a starter.

“My older brother (Chris) was a defensive lineman at Thiel, so I followed him there,” Minton said. “We were a good fit up there.”

Steve Minton went on to become a police officer for a few years. He is now an administrator of personal care homes in Bridgeville and McKees Rocks.

“I care about people,” he said.

And he still cares about Thiel.

“It will be emotional for me, going back,” Minton admitted. “I miss it. The school, campus, atmosphere, everything.

“Our team became so close. Dave was one of the groomsmen in my wedding. A bunch of us still get together quite often. From 6 a.m. to 9:30 or 10 p.m. every day, we were together for the years we played. We're a family.”