A Tradition of Quarterbacks: A Gift for the Future

Sometimes, the most meaningful investments in an athletic program come from those who once wore the uniform themselves.

When the NCAA permitted coach-to-player helmet communication for the 2024 season, Bucknell was given an unrealized opportunity to gain a competitive edge and keep pace with teams who would implement the technology. Mike Axe ’75, one of the program’s leading football donors, recognized the need and was determined to help make it happen.

He enlisted Bob Marks ’67, P’93, P’94, a fellow Bucknell Football Hall of Fame alumnus, to help rally support. Marks, in turn, reached out to every living former Bucknell quarterback with a simple request: help ensure today’s Bison quarterbacks have the equipment they need to succeed.

The response brought former quarterbacks together around a shared purpose. Their collective generosity helped bring the new technology to Bucknell, giving the Bison the ability to equip one offensive player and one defensive player with in-helmet communication, as permitted under NCAA rules.

On the field, the system gives coaches a direct line to players, helping communicate instructions and adjustments before the snap. The gift also reflects a lasting connection between generations of Bison football players — alumni who remember their time at Bucknell and want to help the next generation compete with confidence. Their support demonstrates that being a Bison doesn’t end at graduation; it becomes a lifelong connection to the team.