Gale Sayers

Pride, poise, leadership, dedication and loyalty are all traits exhibited by NFL Hall of Famer Gale Sayers. Following an incredible football career with the Chicago Bears, Sayers began another successful career in business following the same principles he used on the field.

After completing his professional football career, Gale Sayers joined CBS Television as a Football Analyst for two years. He then returned to his alma mater, the University of Kansas, where he completed his bachelor's degree in Physical Education, while handling duties as the Assistant Athletic Director. Sayers accepted the assignment as Assistant Director of the Williams Education Fund for three years and picked up his master's degree in Educational Administration. Gale Sayers was the Athletic Director at Southern Illinois University from 1976 through 1981. After a very successful career at SIU Sayers moved back to Chicago and launched a Sports Marketing and Public Relations firm, Sayers and Sayers Enterprises.

With the marketing/public relations company running smoothly, Gale Sayers and his wife Ardythe launched a computer reseller firm in 1984. 15 years later, Sayers Computer Source (SCS) has ten branches across the US and has grown in revenues to over $150 million. SCS is a value-added provider of computer products and technology solutions to commercial customers. SCS's single source approach delivers a cost-effective alternative, which improves our customers' business. Our mission is to create lifelong customers through superior customer service. Sayers Computer Source has won a variety of industry awards, including the Smart 50 Reseller award, and has been distinguished as one of Chicago's top minority-owned firms.

Sayers Computer Source has won a variety of industry awards, including the Smart 50 Reseller award, and has been distinguished as one of Chicago's top minority-owned firms. In February 1999, Sayers was inducted into the Chicago Area Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame, a prestigious honor awarded to a select group of the most influential entrepreneurs in the Chicago area. Most recently, in his honor, Kansas University School of Education named their Microcomputer Center after him. The Gale Sayers Microcomputer Center in Pearson Hall will be a reminder and inspiration to generations of students and visitors of his dedication to education.

Sayers personally and professionally devotes a great deal of time supporting and raising funds for dozens of charitable organizations. His commitment to the community includes the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Marklund Children's Home, Boy Scouts of America, American Cancer Society, Better Boys Foundation, Junior Achievement, and the Cradle Adoption Agency.

His professional football accolades include: NFL Rookie of the year Award in 1965. Named MVP of the 1967, 1968 and 1970 All Star Games, named to the 75th Anniversary All Time NFL Team, the Chicago Sports Hall of Fame in 1980, the Black Sports Hall of Fame in 1975 and the NFL Hall of Fame in 1977.

In addition to his business and personal endeavors, Gale Sayers has authored an instructional publication on the fundamentals of football's offensive strategies called Offensive Football. In addition, his autobiography, I Am Third, was produced into an award-winning television movie, Brian's Song. The movie featured the special personal and professional relationship between Sayers and his cancer-stricken teammate, Brian Piccolo. Although his computer business is his first priority, Sayers does find time to do motivational speaking engagements for worthy causes.