NEW YORK—Former Columbia football player Paul McCormick '78 was honored by the Ivy Football Association at its bi-annual dinner held Thursday evening at The Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel. McCormick, along with representatives of the seven other Ivy League schools were honored by the organization as distinguished graduates. More information on Thursday's Ivy Football Association event is available at this link, while McCormick's bio is listed at this link.
 
McCormick was born and raised in Rockville, Maryland where he was an All-State running back at Georgetown Preparatory High School. He came to Columbia College in 1974 as part of Bill Campbell's first recruited class. He was a starting wide receiver on Columbia's undefeated freshman football team. A three-year varsity player, McCormick was a two-year starting tailback and led the team in rushing. He was also one of the nation's leading punt and kick returners. He was named captain of the 1977 Columbia football team and was also the starting center fielder for the 1977 Columbia EIBL champion baseball team, all while pursuing a pre-med major and fulfilling his 10 hours per week financial aid job requirement.

McCormick received his medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1982. He performed brain tumor research at the National Institutes of Health and then trained in Neurological Surgery at the prestigious Neurological Institute of New York. Following his residency training he was appointed to the staff at the Neurological Institute as the first neurosurgeon to dedicate his practice entirely to the treatment of patients with spinal cord disorders.

At the Neurological Institute of New York at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, McCormick developed into a world-renowned spinal cord neurosurgeon and recognized expert in the surgical management of spinal cord tumors. He established the classification system for spinal cord tumors that bears his name and helped define the standards and techniques for the microsurgical removal of these tumors from inside the spinal cord.

Dr. McCormick is currently the Gallen Professor of Neurological Surgery at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, a position he has held since 2001. He is also the Director of The Spine Hospital at the Neurological Institute of New York and an Attending Physician at New York Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center. He has published over 200 peer-reviewed scientific papers and book chapters, authored or edited 11 books and supplements, presented as an invited speaker or program director at over 230 scientific meetings, and been selected as an honored lecturer at over 40 institutions throughout North and South America, Europe, and the Middle East. McCormick has served on the editorial board of numerous scientific journals, including Deputy Editor of Spine, Chair of Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine, and Advisory Board of Neurosurgery.

McCormick has held numerous leadership positions in organized neurosurgery including the Executive Committee and Vice President of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Chairman of the AANS/CNS Joint Spine Section, Director and Vice Chair of the American Board of Neurological Surgery, and Executive Committee and President of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. 
Paul has received numerous awards including the prestigious Columbia College 2007 John Jay award for professional achievement, the 2009 Joint Spine Section Meritorious Service award, and has been an honored lecturer at national, international, and institutional events on numerous occasions. He currently serves on the Columbia College Board of Visitors.

Doris and Paul McCormick have been married for 34 years and have 3 fantastic Columbia educated children: Paul, Jr., a resident psychiatrist, Kyle, a third-year medical student, and Kaleigh, a first-year student at Columbia College.
 
The Ivy Football Association was founded in 2000 to honor and celebrate Ivy League football and its rich tradition of producing graduates who have become leaders in their chosen fields or professions. The organization promotes how football fits into the overall educational process and college experience and how Ivy League football can be lifted up as the model for how intercollegiate football should be conducted. Since its founding, the organization has sponsored seven sold-out dinners, each of which has recognized eight distinguished graduates of the respective Ivy League institutions. More information on the Ivy Football Association, event and list of honorees is available at this link.
 
COLUMBIA'S ALL-TIME IVY FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION HONOREES
2019: Paul McCormick, 1978CC
2017: Javier Loya, 1991CC
2015: Archie Roberts, M.D., 1965CC
2013: Marcellus Wiley, 1997CC
2011: Martin Francis "Marty" Domres, 1969CC
2009: Robert K. Kraft, 1963CC
2007: Brian Dennehy, 1960CC
2005: William V. Campbell, 1962CC
2003: Allison F. Butts, 1964CC
2001: Russell F. Warren, M.D., 1962CC
 
MORE ON PAUL McCORMICK '78 (1975-77)
1977 team captain; Wore jersey No. 46
 
Where McCormick ranks in Columbia's Career Records
9th in career kickoff return yards (991)
9th in career kickoff return attempts (49)
17th in career kickoff return average (20.2)
17th in career all-purpose yardage (2028)
15th in career all-purpose yards per game (75.1)
20th in season all-purpose yards per game (101.8 in 1976)
29th in season all-purpose yards (916 in 1976)
 
Rushing/Receiving Statistics
1975: 15-64, 0 TD, 4.3 yards per carry, 1-13 receiving
1976: 87-444, 2 TD, 5.1 yards per carry (led team in rushing), 2-17 receiving
1977: 88-350, 2 TD, 4.0 yards per carry (3rd on team), 6-22 receiving
Career: 190-858, 4 TD, 4.5 yards per carry, 9-52 receiving, 0 TD
 
All-Purpose Yardage
1975: 354 all-purpose yards (39.3 yards per game), 16-277 KOR, 17.3 average (led team), 0-0 PR
1976: 916 all-purpose yards (101.8 yards per game) (led team), 20-447 KOR, 22.4 average (led team), 4-8 PR
1977: 758 all-purpose yards (84.2 yards per game), 13-267 KOR, 20.5 average, 12-119 PR, 9.9 average (led team)
Career: 2028 all-purpose yards (75.1 yards per game), 49-991 KOR, 20.2 average, 16-127 PR, 7.9 average