Jim Dombrowski, born in Williamsville, New York, is known as one of the finest student-athletes in the history of the University of Virginia where he graduated in 1986. Dombrowski was the recipient of the NCAA Today’s Top Six Award for his combined athletic ability, academic achievement, leadership characteristics and campus involvement. He was a unanimous First Team All-American pick in 1984 and was two-time First Team All-ACC selection. He also is the three time winner of the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the ACC’s best offensive lineman. Equally impressive in the classroom, he earned First Team Academic All-Conference honors in 1985. The New Orleans Saints chose Dombrowski sixth overall in the 1986 NFL Draft. As a guard and tackle, he spent 11 seasons with the Saints and was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame in 2003. Jim was also named to the Saints 20th and 25th Anniversary Teams. He ranks ninth all-time in games played in Saints’ history with 151 and was an integral part of leading the saints to their first winning season and first playoff appearance in 1987. He was part of four playoff teams in New Orleans as a starter (1987, 1990, 1991, and 1992). His jersey #73 is retired at the University of Virginia and in 2008; Dombrowski was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Inductees