ARCATA, Calif..---  Dave Harper, who was inducted into the Humboldt State Department of Athletics' Hall of Fame in 1997, passed away this past month at the age of 55. Harper was a two-year letter-winner for the Lumberjacks during the 1988 and 1989 seasons.
 
In his first year as Lumberjack, Harper was a running back and linebacker for the 'Jacks.  Against UC Davis, he rushed for a season-high 114 years.  In HSU's game against Azusa Pacific, Harper registered 20 tackles and had one interception.
 
During his senior season at Humboldt State, the Lumberjack linebacker posted 125 tackles including seven tackles for loss and five sacks. After that season, he played in the East-West Shrine Game. 
 
Prior to his time at HSU, Harper attended Eureka High School in Eureka, Calif.  After graduating from high school, he went to the College of the Redwoods where he was named to the 1986 All-Golden Valley Conference Team.  Harper went to Weber State on a football scholarship and transferred to Humboldt State after sitting out the 1987 season.
 
Harper was selected in the 1990 NFL Draft in the 11^th round by the Dallas Cowboys.  After being released by the Cowboys, Harper went on to the Canadian Football League (CFL) where he played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Sacramento Gold Miners/San Antonio Texans, Ottawa Roughriders and Montreal Alouettes.
 
After his professional career, Harper was the athletic director, head football coach and a physical education teacher at Templeton High School.