SELINSGROVE, (Pa.) – Susquehanna University will bid farewell to the current Amos Alonzo Stagg Field and break ground on the new Nicholas A. Lopardo Stadium, which will retain the Stagg Field name, at the football team’s home finale vs. arch-rival Lycoming College on Saturday, November 6. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m., but will probably be delayed until 1:05 by some of the pre-game ceremonies.
Festivities for the day will include a pre-game ceremony honoring members of the special anniversary Top 100 Players of 100 Seasons Football Team, at approximately 12:45 p.m., and a halftime groundbreaking ceremony for the new 3,500-seat stadium behind the home bench. The groundbreaking party will include Lopardo, a former Crusader football and baseball player who is a member of the university’s board of directors, the Sports Hall of Fame, and the Top 100 Team; his wife Diane; University President Joel Cunningham; Director of Athletics Don Harnum; Middle Atlantic Conference track and field champion and senior Karyn Kern (Brodheadsville/Pleasant Valley H.S.); and a member of the current football team.
The nine senior members of the current team will also be honored following the Top 100 pre-game ceremony. There will be a post-game reception for participants in the groundbreaking, Top 100 players, their families, and special guests in Alumni Gymnasium.
Crusader football has been played on the current site for 100 years, with the current layout being debuted as University Field on September 23, 1923. It took the name Amos Alonzo Stagg Field on September 26, 1981, after Stagg Sr. and Jr. – the famous father and son who co-coached the Susquehanna football team for six seasons between 1947 and ’52.
Appropriately, Susquehanna and Lycoming will be the final game at the field. This game has become one of America’s best small college football rivalries, with the two now playing annually for possession of Stagg Sr.’s Old Hat Trophy. The trophy is an actual felt Fedora which the legendary “Grand Old Man of Football” wore while he coached at Susquehanna. He gave the hat to Rich Young ’54, a member of the Top 100 Team and the president of the new Susquehanna Football Alumni Association, who had it bronzed and made into a trophy. Susquehanna and Lycoming have been annually playing for possession of the trophy since 1993. They also played three trophy games in the 1960s. Lycoming has a narrow 19-18-1 lead in the all-time series, although Susquehanna has a 6-3 lead in Old Hat Trophy games.
ABOUT THE NEW STADIUM
Susquehanna University officials announced details about the $14 million expansion and renovation of its sports and fitness facilities, including naming the new football and track stadium Nicholas A. Lopardo Stadium/Amos Alonzo Stagg Field, at a June news conference. The sports and fitness project represents the first major improvements to the University’s athletics facilities in 23 years and has emerged as one of the remaining priorities in the University’s Susquehanna 2000: The Next Challenge capital campaign.
The project has two major additions — a fitness center to be constructed on the west front of O.W. Houts Gymnasium, and a field house and connecting link to be constructed on the east side. The new field house will be built on the site of the current Amos Alonzo Stagg Field, which will require construction of the new football/track stadium on the site of the current baseball field. Stagg Field will retain its name, even though its location will change. New baseball and practice fields will be created at the southwest part of campus near Sassafras Avenue.
A 1968 graduate of Susquehanna and a member of the University board of directors since 1992, Lopardo played football and baseball while he was a student at Susquehanna and was inducted into the University’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1998. On June 5, 1999, he was awarded the Alumni Association’s 1999 Award for Achievement during Alumni Weekend. He is vice chairman of State Street Corporation in Boston, Mass., and chairman and chief executive officer of State Street Global Advisors.
“Without Mr. Lopardo’s leadership in moving us forward on the sports and fitness complex, we wouldn’t have been able to break ground on the schedule we’re planning to now,” President Cunningham said. “We are grateful for his substantial financial commitment to this project, as well as the gifts he has made to other campaign priorities, including the new business and communications building.” Lopardo’s gift commitments to the Susquehanna 2000 campaign exceed $1.5 million.
The new football and track stadium will provide seating capacity for 3,500 spectators, an eight-lane, quarter-mile track, a concession stand, and a press box. It will be constructed just northeast of the new field house. Relocation of the stadium will require the construction of three new outdoor tennis courts. The new football stadium will be constructed beginning November 1999 through August 2000.
For the second time, Susquehanna University’s capital campaign, Susquehanna 2000: The Next Challenge, has surpassed its goal. The original $35 million goal, reached in September 1998, was raised by the University’s board of directors to $42 million. As of July 31, gifts and pledges to the campaign totaled more than $42.5 million.
Instead of celebrating an early end to the campaign, however, which is scheduled for December 2000, the University is working to meet the terms of a $1 million challenge grant from The Kresge Foundation of Troy, Mich. The terms require that Susquehanna secure an additional $3.5 million in campaign gift commitments by October 1, 2000. Those commitments, which can be for any campaign priority, must be completed by October 1, 2005. If the University succeeds in meeting the challenge, the foundation’s $1 million grant will be used to support the campaign’s last building project in the new sports and fitness complex – including the new football and track stadium.
THE TOP 100 TEAM
Susquehanna’s special anniversary team honors the top 100 players of the first 100 seasons of Crusader football. All Crusader football players who have been inducted into the Susquehanna Sports Hall of Fame were automatically included on this team. Members of the school’s Hall of Fame Committee selected the final 27 players through the nominations submitted by alumni, boosters and the sports information staff.
Approximately 50 of the 73 living members are expected back on November 6. Capsule summaries of all the players follows.
John Auten ’28 – Auten was an “outstanding end” who teamed up with fellow Hall of Famer Wilfred Groce ’30 to form a standout passing combination. He was also known as a “local sports legend” and inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985.
Ken Badger ’37 – Badger was a four-year starter at end and served as captain his senior year. At the end of his Crusader career, he earned a professional tryout with the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992.
Larry Baker ’22 — Baker, a left tackle who was captain his senior year, intercepted a pass against Colgate in 1920 and returned it 50 yards to the five-yard line, allowing Susquehanna to become the only team in the East to score against Colgate that year. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1967 as a charter member.
Joe Balint ’98 – Balint was a three-year MAC All-Star offensive linemen as both a guard (1994, ’96) and tackle (’95), and was one of the team’s captains as both a junior and senior. Also a Preseason All-American in his last two years, he was invited to play in the Third Annual National All-Stars Bowl College Football Classic.
Rod Bamford ’84 – Bamford was the team’s Most Valuable Player and leading tackler (98) in 1982. He also led them in tackles (105/20 solo) in 1983 when he also selected as an MAC and ECAC Division III South All-Star, as well as a Division III Honorable Mention All-American.
Bob Bastress ’39 – Bastress was an honorable mention Little All-American in 1939 as a halfback/quarterback, earning second-team all-state honors in 1938 while serving as team captain. His 1,517 career rushing yards and 660 yards in 1938 stood as school records until 1962. He was a charter member of the Hall of Fame in 1967.
David Battisti ’91 – Battisti was four-year starting quarterback and a 1989 GTE Academic All-American, and Susquehanna’s Blair Heaton Award winner in 1991. He has school records for career passing yardage (4,087), attempts (568), completions (264) and TD passes (38), helping his team win MAC titles in 1987 and ’89.
Hank Belcolle ’84 – Belcolle was a halfback who was 1983 ECAC Player of the Year and Division III Honorable Mention All-American. His 2,176 career rushing yards and 549 attempts were school records until 1998, and his 1983 stats (846 yards, 194 rushes) are still in the season bests. He became a Hall of Famer in 1993
C. Foster Benfer ’06 – Benfer was one of the standouts of the early years of Crusader football. This “diminutive” quarterback also served as team captain in 1903. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1976.
Al Bucci ’88 – Bucci was a MAC All-Star and All-American at split end a senior. He holds school records for career receptions (121) and receiving yardage (1,944); season receptions (57, 1987) and receiving yardage (893, 1987); and catches in a game (12 vs. Muhlenberg in 1987), and TD catches (4 vs. Muhlenberg, 1987). He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.
Peter Burton ’78 – Burton was “rough and tumble fullback” who played with an aggressive style. He was the team’s leading rusher during his Crusader career, voted the squad’s Most Valuable Player for the 1977 season. Burton was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1991.
Matt Caretti ’91 – Caretti was a three-year starting offensive guard who made the MAC All-Stars all three years. A consensus Preseason All-American and a captain as a senior, he was also a 1990 GTE District II Academic All-American, a first-team All-American by one team, and honorable mention by another.
Rich Caruso ’65 – Caruso was a four-year letterwinner who played on both sides of the ball as an offensive and defensive guard. A co-captain his senior year, he earned all-conference and all-state honors as a senior. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1980.
Ken Cassell ’28 — Cassell was a four-year letterwinner as a lineman, serving as a line coach his senior year. Known for his “hard play,” Cassell blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown against Upsala his senior year. He was a charter member of the Hall of Fame in 1967.
George Cassler ’20 – Cassler earned his varsity football letter “S” in 1920. While no further athletic information was available on him, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a charter member in 1967.
Rich Close ’88 – A four-year starter who began as a rover back in 1984, but moved to outside linebacker in 1985 and started his final three seasons there. He was a first-team MAC All-Star his final two seasons while helping the team win two titles. He was a senior tri-captain who led the team in tackles (85) and sacks (8).
Todd Coolidge ’88 – Coolidge was the starting quarterback in his final two years, after being a D-back his first two. He has school season records for passing yards (2,024, 1986), attempts (265, 1986), TD passes (18, 1987), total offense (2,086, 1986), and interception return yards (181, 1984). He joined the Hall of Fame in 1997.
George Day ’93 – Day was a two-year starter as a split end and return man. He was a district Academic All-American his last two years, also making the MAC All-Stars and earning the team’s special teams award as a senior. He had a school record 263 punt return yards in ’92 and is still among the school career return leaders.
Ben DiFrancesco ’62 – DiFrancesco was a starting linebacker/guard from 1959-61, earning Little All-America honors in his final two years. In 1961, he was a first-team MAC North All-Star, second-team all-state, honorable mention AP All-American, and first-team All-Lutheran. He earned a tryout with the NFL’s Washington Redskins, and was a Hall of Fame charter member in 1967.
Dan Distasio ’82 – Distasio was a four-year starting linebacker who was a three-time Academic All-American – leading the team in tackles in his last two seasons. He had 119 tackles as a senior, collecting an even 100 as a junior. With 367 career stops, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame this season.
Don Duffy ’97 – Duffy was a three-year starting halfback – earning MAC Commonwealth League All-Star honors in each. As a senior, he broke the school season scoring record with 90 points. He had a career rushing average of 5.0 and is still seventh in career scoring with 150 points, and ninth in all-purpose running with 2,290 yards.
Russ Eisenhower ’35 – Eisenhower, who played both offensive and defensive tackle, was a co-captain his senior year. In a 1933 game against Haverford, he deflected an enemy pass attempt and returned it 70 yards for the only score in a 6-0 Susquehanna win. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1980.
Larry Erdman ’65 – Erdman was a two-way standout, earning All-Lutheran honors as a senior. His 2,156 career rushing yards and 974 rushing yards in 1964 rank him in the top four of both categories, and he still holds school records in career rushing average (6.8) and season punt return average (32.3. He was a charter member of the Hall of Fame in 1967.
Mike Fabian ’74 – Fabian was a four-year letterwinner at defensive back. A 1973 captain, he earned All-MAC North first-team honors three times. His 10 interceptions in 1971 remains tied for the school season record. His 18 career interceptions and 215 return yards are also among the school leaders. He made the Hall of Fame in 1982.
Gene Fenstermacher ’52 – Fenstermacher was known for his tough play by teammates. In his first collegiate game, he knocked the opposing quarterback out cold on the first play from scrimmage. He earned honorable mention all-state honors during his career, and was a charter member of the Hall of Fame in 1967.
Ralph Ferraro ’60 – Ferraro was a two-way player as a center and linebacker, starting every game from 1956-59. He was a captain his last two years while earning Little All-American in 1958 and 1959, and first-team All-Lutheran and honorable mention AP All-American honors. He was a charter Hall of Fame member in 1967.
Bob Fessler ’80 – Fessler was a four-year letterwinner at linebacker who led the team in tackles for three-straight years. He was captain and team MVP as a senior, also earning first-team All-MAC that year. He was the ECAC Player of the Week for his 25 tackles against Del Valley. He made the Hall of Fame in 1988.
Rick Fike ’80 – Fike was a three-year starter as a defensive back. He was named to the MAC Northern Division First Team All-Stars as a senior, and was also the team’s Best Defensive Back his last two seasons. Upon graduation, he signed a free-agent contract with the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League.
Jim Filipovits ’93 – Filipovits was a three-year starting quarterback who led the 1991 team to the national semifinals for the only time in school history. He was a MAC All-Star as a senior, earning the team’s Offensive Player of the Year Award his last two years. He had the second most total offense yardage (1,702) in his senior year.
P. Richard Fisher ’34 – Fisher was a four-year letterman and center on the 1932 undefeated team. The 1934 Lanthorn said “On the football field he reminds us of the terrible Turk. He is by no means the gentlest sort of person to meet after signals have been called. And … he is as amiable as a polar bear.” He made the Hall of Fame in 1971.
Sam Fletcher ’41 – Fletcher was a standout tackle on the 1940 undefeated team, earning second-team all-state honors that year. He was a charter member of the Hall of Fame in 1967.
Whitney Gay ’72 – Gay was called “the consummate ‘Renaissance’ athlete of his period,” as a four-year letterwinner who bolstered the Crusader defense on the gridiron. He also earned All-MAC honors during his career, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.
Jim Gibney ’65 – Gibney was a four-year letterwinner who was constantly on the field at offensive and defensive end, and as a punter. In 1963 he led the MAC in punting (40-yard avg.) and earned second-team all-state and All-Lutheran honors. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1978.
Jeff Goria ’71 – Goria was a three-year football letterwinner. A co-captain as a senior, he was the only player on the 1970 MAC North Division Championship team to repeat as a MAC All-Star. He also earned the team’s Best Back Award as a junior. He made the Hall of Fame in 1998.
Dr. Joseph Greco ’41 – Greco was known as a “slick” split end who was Susquehanna’s first Little All-American, earning honorable mention honors in 1939 and 1940. He also earned first-team all-state honors in 1941. He was a charter member of the Hall of Fame in 1967.
Don Green ’64 – Green was a four-year starting quarterback who had 3,174 yards of total offense. He set the school record at the time with 78 points in 1963, and his 26 points vs. Union that year is still tied for the game record. He was All-MAC, All-State, and honorable mention Little All-American. Green made the Hall of Fame in 1972.
Wilfred Groce ’30 – Groce was a multi-talented player, Groce was a “plunging fullback with an excellent passing game” and was noted as the “nucleus” of the 1927-29 teams. His senior season was unfortunately cut short by a knee injury suffered vs. Bucknell. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988.
Eric Hancock ’93 – Hancock was a four-year letterwinner who was a first-team MAC All-Star defensive tackle in each of his final two seasons. He was an honorable mention All-American according to Don Hansen’s Football Gazette as a senior — despite missing the first three games with a hamstring pull.
John Hanna ’35 – Hanna was a four-year letterwinner who earned early recognition for the Susquehanna program when he was named to the All-Eastern second-team as a fullback. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1971.
Jim Hazlett ’52 – Hazlett was Susquehanna’s “Athlete of the Year” in 1951-52, earning Little All-American and first-team all-state honors at center in 1951. He returned to campus as head football coach in 1965, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974.
Blair Heaton ’42 – Heaton was the team co-captain and starting end in 1941, earning Little All-American honors. He is regarded as one of the greatest all-around athletes in Susquehanna history, and the senior male scholar-athlete award is named in his honor. He was a charter member of the Hall of Fame in 1967.
Keith Henry ’91 – Henry was a four-year letterwinner who was a consensus All-American during his senior season at defensive tackle while registering a school record 14 quarterback sacks. A senior quad-captain, he earned MAC First Team All-Star honors for second straight season that year, also earning team MVP honors.
Trevor Henry ’88 – Henry was a four-year starting inside linebacker who was the team’s Best Defensive Player in both 1986 and ’88, also earning All-American and First Team MAC All-Star honors as a senior. He recorded a team best 107 tackles in the 1986 playoff season, tallying a team best 140 as a senior to give him 400 for his career.
Milt Herman 1899 – Herman was one of the “early football greats” for John Woodruff’s infant Susquehanna program, playing guard and tackle from 1893-99. During his playing days, the team’s opponents were the likes of Bucknell, the Carlisle Indians, and area pro teams. He was a charter member of the Hall of Fame in 1967.
Jamie Hickey ’95 – Hickey was a two-year starting offensive tackle who was the 1994 MAC Offensive Lineman of the Year during his senior season. He also repeated as a first-team MAC Commonwealth League All-Star that year, also making the All-South Region Team according to Don Hansen’s Football Gazette.
Colin Howlett ’90 – Howlett was a four-year letterwinner and a starting center. A team captain as a senior, he earned the school’s Blair Heaton Award that year. He also was an MAC First Team All-Star as both a junior and a senior – also earning First Team All-American honors as a senior according to Don Hansen’s Football Gazette.
Gerald Huesken ’77 – Huesken was an outstanding tackle who also made his mark as possibly Susquehanna football’s most prolific scholar-athlete. He was a first-team Academic All-American in 1975, also being selected for the NCAA’s Top-Five Award and a post-graduate scholarship. He made the Hall of Fame in 1984.
Cosmo Iacavazzi ’89 – Iacavazzi was a two-year starting fullback who led the MAC in rushing and was a First Team All-Star as a junior. He was third in conference rushing as a senior, earning second-team MAC honors while being the team’s Best Offensive Player. He is seventh on the school’s career rushing list with 1,696 yards.
Larry Isaacs ’43 – Isaacs weighed only 142 pounds during his career, but played a big part in Susquehanna football during a time when the team was severely depleted due to injuries and the armed services. Isaacs had 498 yards rushing as a sophomore for an average of 9.6 yards per carry. He was a charter Hall of Fame member in 1967.
Dick Kauffman ’09 – Kauffman, a fullback, was best remembered for a 90-yard run in a 14-7 loss to Bucknell in 1908. He coached the team for a year after his graduation and later went on to a professional baseball career with the St. Louis Browns. He was a charter member of the Hall of Fame in 1967.
Larry Kerstetter ’64 – Kerstetter still ranks in the top 10 of several program rushing and scoring categories. He earned all-state honors as a junior and senior, and this “excellent all-around fullback” was never tackled for a loss until the last quarter of his final game at Susquehanna. He was a charter member of the Hall of Fame in 1967.
Terry Kissinger ’64 – A four-year letterwinner on both offense and defense and as a kicker, Kissinger was a 1962 honorable mention Little All-American. He also earned honorable mention MAC North Division All-Star honors that year. He made the Hall of Fame in 1982.
Tom Lagerman ’84 – Lagerman was an All-American defensive back in 1983 and ’84, also winning the Blair Heaton Award as the university’s top senior male scholar-athlete. The school record-holder for career punt returns (88), he is in the top 10 in career and season interceptions, INT return yardage and punt return yardage. He made the Hall of Fame in 1996.
T.J. Lane ’99 – Lane was a MAC Commonwealth League Football All-Star at both receiver and return specialist in each of his final two seasons. He was also the recipient of the Blair Heaton Award last year. A quad-captain in 1998 who was also the team’s Special Teams’ Player of the Year, he broke the school record for career punt return yardage (680). He also holds the school record for season punt return yardage (462, 1997).
Wayne Liddick ’68 – Liddick was an “outstanding all-around athlete,” who excelled as both a quarterback and a punter. He still ranks in the top 10 of several passing and punting records, and his 1966 passing efficiency rating (145.18) stood as the season record for 17 years. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1991.
Nick Lopardo ’68 – Lopardo was a four-year letterwinner, starting at either quarterback, fullback, safety or linebacker. A captain as a senior, he made the All-Lutheran College Team in each of his last two seasons. He was also team MVP as a junior, and recipient of the Best Back Award as a senior, earning the Kiwanis Award for career excellence. He made the Hall of Fame in 1998.
John Luscko ’63 – Luscko, a halfback, was a four-year letterwinner. A senior captain, he led the division in rushing for two years and was an honorable mention Little All-American in 1962. He holds school records for career (37.3 avg.) and season (39.6, 1960) kickoff return average. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983.
Cory Mabry ’91 – Mabry was a four-year letterwinner who was an All-American in football twice and a three-time MAC All-Star at cornerback. He still holds the school career record in interceptions (26) and interception return yardage (400). He is also tied for the school season interception record (10, 1988), leading the nation that year.
Steve Martinec ’35 – Martinec was voted Susquehanna’s best athlete in 1935, and was a halfback and punter who served as co-captain for the 1934 season. His play earned him recognition in his hometown, as he was named to the Schuylkill County Collegians All-Star team. He was a charter Hall of Fame member in 1967.
John Meyers ’33 – Meyers earned three letters in football at Susquehanna despite weighing just 150 pounds, quarterbacking the program’s first undefeated team in 1932. He clinched the undefeated season for the Crusaders by scoring both touchdowns in the season finale, a 12-7 win over Juniata. He made the Hall of Fame in 1969.
Bill Muir ’65 – Muir was an All-MAC tackle in his junior and senior years and was a major factor in Susquehanna’s 32-3-1 record in the four years he played here. He returned after graduation to be an assistant coach, and later went on to a career as an National Football League assistant. He was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1990.
Donald Owens ’72 – Owens was a two-way player at linebacker and offensive tackle. He spearheaded the defense and also led the offense on the 1970 MAC championship and Boardwalk Bowl team. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984.
Joe Palchak ’71 – Palchak was a fullback who became Susquehanna’s first 1,000-yard rusher in 1970 (1,025), establishing a school record which stood until 1997. He was an honorable mention Little All-American, first-team all-state, first-team All-Lutheran, first-team offense and MAC Northern Division MVP that season. He made the Hall of Fame in 1978.
Chris Pemberton ’83 – Pemberton was a four-year starting offensive tackle, helping the program snap 10-straight losing seasons by going 6-3 in 1981 and 7-2 in ’82. He made the MAC Northern Division All-Stars in each of his final two seasons, and also was an ECAC Division III South Region All-Star Team as a senior.
James B. Peters ’49 – Peters was a four-year letterwinner at halfback/flanker and safety. He was the team’s leading scorer in 1942, 1946 and 1947. He was also Susquehanna’s only three-letter athlete at the time, also playing basketball and baseball from 1946-48. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1982.
Bob Pittello ’51 – Pittello was known as an outstanding guard in his three years of playing at Susquehanna. Since his playing days, he’s served as a Crusader assistant coach for 32 seasons. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1973.
Bob Pritchard ’36 – Pritchard was a tackle during his playing career, and later returned to his alma mater as a coach. He was an assistant to Amos Alonzo Stagg, Jr. for the 1940 undefeated season. He made the Hall of Fame in 1972.
Dick Purnell ’58 – Purnell was a four-year letterwinner at quarterback and team co-captain in 1956 and 1957. His 1,072 total yards in 1956 were 17th in the nation and earned him Little All-American honors. He was honorable mention all-state honors as a junior, and a third-teamer as a senior. Also a Crusader coach, he was a charter member of the Hall of Fame in 1967.
William Rearick 1894 – Rearick was an offensive and defensive tackle on the very first Susquehanna (then the Missionary Institute) football team. He was a key member of the 1893 team that posted the first victories in school history. He was a charter Hall of Fame member in 1967.
Frank Riggitano ’83 – Riggitano was a four-year letterwinner as a placekicker who made 86.4 percent of his PAT attempts, and 51.4 percent of his field goals. He has kicked the two longest field goals in Susquehanna history – with a 51-yarder vs. Delaware Valley in 1981 being the school record. He made the Hall of Fame in 1995.
Mike Rising ’54 – Rising was an “acrobatic” end who some would say “made circus catches almost regularly.” His 165 receiving yards against the National Aggies in 1951 stood as the single-game record for 18 years. He was a charter member of the Hall of Fame in 1967.
Chet Rogowicz ’24 – Rogowicz was mainly a tackle and fullback but also saw time at guard and center. He was a team captain as both a junior and senior and was the first Susquehanna athlete to earn four letters in one year. He was a charter member of the Hall of Fame in 1967.
Chet Rowe ’52 – Rowe was only 5-7, but he was a talented receiver who made up for his lack of height by catching big passes. In his career, he caught game-winning passes against both Lycoming and Wagner. He was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1985.
John Rowlands ’64 – Rowlands was said to be the “best lineman of the Garrett era,” as the starting center on both offense and defense for four years. At 5-10, 220 pounds, he was noted as being “very quick for his size,” and for his “vicious tackling.” He was a charter member of the Hall of Fame in 1967.
Louis Santangelo ’50 – Santangelo was a four-year letterwinner as a lineman, split end, linebacker and kicker. He earned Little All American honors in 1950 as he was player of the week five out of eight weeks during the season. According to Coach Stagg, he was a “60-minute” player. He was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1987.
Bob Shaara ’85 – Shaara was the MAC’s Co-Player of the Year as a starting halfback on the 1984 squad as he won the conference rushing title (91.1 per game average). Still ninth in career rushing with 1,648 yards, and 10th in all-purpose running with 2,269 yards, he had the ninth-best rushing season in school history with 787 yards in 1984.
Tom Shoemaker ’87 – Shoemaker was a three-year starter and letterwinner as a guard who was the school’s Blair Heaton Award winner as a senior. A co-captain of the 1986 MAC champion and NCAA playoff team, he was a MAC First Team All-Star and an honorable mention All-American by the Football News that year.
Pete Shuty ’38 – Shuty was a co-captain during his senior season and a “stick-out center and tackle” during “lean years.” He was a charter member of the Hall of Fame in 1967.
Chuck Smeltz ’75 – Smeltz set a NCAA record with 75 consecutive PAT kicks. He was first-team All-Lutheran, All-MAC, and honorable mention all-state in his career. He was the Most Valuable Player of the 1974 squad. Smeltz was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1981.
Rob Sochovka ’87 – Sochovka was a three-year letterwinner and starter at split end who was an MAC All-Star in each of his final two seasons, earning first-team honors in 1986. He was the team’s Best Offensive Player that year, grabbing 28 passes for 634 yards and seven TDs. He is third on the school’s career receiving yardage list with 1,518.
Jeff Steltz ’76 – Steltz was a three-year starter at split end, recording 39 receptions as a junior and 35 as a senior. He had over 500 yards receiving each year, earning all-MAC North honors in those two seasons. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1994.
Pete Stoma ’88 – Stoma was a unanimous MAC First-Team All-Star at center in both ’86 and ’87. Also a tri-captain as a senior, he helped the team to its first national playoff bid in ’86, and national prominence in ’87. Also the team’s Co-Offensive Player of the Year as a senior, he was a third-team Pizza Hut All-American in ’86.
William E. Sullivan ’35 – Sullivan was a four-year letterwinner at guard. He played on the 1932 undefeated football team and was described as a “good, tough football player” He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986.
H. Donald Sweeley ’23 – Sweeley is best remembered for scoring the winning touchdown, as a freshman, in a 10-9 victory over Bucknell – the only time Susquehanna beat the Bison. A halfback and quarterback, he helped Susquehanna surprisingly tie Colgate in 1920. He was a charter member in 1967.
Harry Sweeney ’23 – Sweeney was a powerful halfback who was picked as an All-Eastern player in 1922. He ran back a kickoff 103 yards in a loss to Colgate in 1922. Sports personality Park Davis commented that had Sweeney been at a larger school, he would have been an All-American. He was a charter Hall of Fame member in 1967.
William Swoope ’18 – Swoope was considered by his head coach G.O. Stahl to be “one of the best fullbacks in Crusader gridiron history. He had the power to pick up yardage through the center of the line and the speed to go outside.” He was a charter Hall of Fame member in 1967.
Harry Swope ’38 – Swope was a captain of the football team as a senior, and was an excellent lineman. He was nominated to play on a collegiate all-star team that played against the Philadelphia Eagles. Swope was a charter member of the Hall of Fame in 1967.
Earl Thomas ’25 – Thomas was a halfback and quarterback who helped Susquehanna defeat Temple in 1923, and Juniata the following year. He also competed on the 1921 squad which played the likes of Army, Bucknell, Lehigh, and Colgate. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1971.
Ernie Tyler ’72 – Tyler was an outstanding quarterback who was first-team All-MAC North in 1969, third-team all-state the same year, and all-regional first-team in 1970. He was a co-captain and MVP of the 1971 team. He set the school passing records at the time – hitting 223 of 474 passes for 2,741 yards. He made the Hall of Fame in 1977.
Robert Veach ’73 – Veach was a halfback and kick returner who held 15 different school records at the time he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983. He had 1,243 kick return yards in his career, also totaling 3,524 all-purpose yards. Veach was a co-captain of the team his senior season, also earning All-MAC honors.
John Vignone ’65 – Vignone was an offensive and defensive halfback who excelled on both sides of the ball. He had 1,309 rushing yards in his career, including 612 rushing yards in 1964. From his defensive back spot, he picked off 22 passes. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974.
John Wall ’30 – Wall was a talented captain of the football team as a halfback and quarterback as a senior, unfortunately suffering a broken collarbone which cut his season and career short. He was a charter Hall of Fame member in 1967.
Andy Watkins ’93 – Watkins was a four-year letterman who was an All-American linebacker and a captain during his senior year, also earning the Blair Heaton Award. He was a near consensus All-American in each of his final two years, also earning first-team MAC All-Star honors each year. He was the conference’s Player of the Year in ’93.
Matt Wichlinski ’99 – Wichlinski was an All-American fullback in each of his last two years, also being chosen to play in the Aztec Bowl. A three-year MAC All-Star, he has school records for career rushing yardage (3,243) and scoring (246 points), and season rushing yardage (1,322, 1997) and scoring (108, 1997). He was the 1998 MAC Offensive Player of the Year and MAC Commonwealth League Most Valuable Player.
Roger Wiest ’97 – Wiest was a three-year starting linebacker who earned MAC Commonwealth League First Team All-Star honors in each of his final two seasons after leading the team in tackles in each of his final three years. He was also named the team’s Most Valuable Player as a senior. He had 304 career tackles (103 solo).
Joe Witt ’89 – Witt was a four-year letterwinner at halfback who was the recipient of the school’s Blair Heaton Award as a senior. He was also an All-American, First Team MAC All-Star and team MVP as a senior. Witt holds school records for career all-purpose yardage (4,077), season all-purpose yardage (1,367, 1988) and game receiving yardage (216 vs. Lycoming, 1988), ranking second in scoring (180 points).
John Yanuklis ’60 – Yanuklis was a halfback who earned Little All-American honors his senior season. During that season, he scored 50 points as the team secured its first winning season in seven years. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1989.
Rich Young ’54 – Young was a halfback/placekicker/punter, who earned first-team all-state honors in 1951, along with being an honorable mention Little All-American. He rushed for 1,088 yards and scored 131 points in only 20 varsity games during his career. He was a charter member of the Hall of Fame in 1967.
Jeremy Zeisloft ’97 – Zeisloft was a cornerback who was a 1996 near consensus All-American, also earning first-team MAC Commonwealth League All-Star honors. He was also the team’s Best Defensive Player Award recipient, and an Academic All-American second-teamer as he tied the school season record with 10 interceptions – tying for first in the MAC and second in the final NCAA Division III rankings (1.0 per game).
Evan Zlock ’49 – Zlock was a fullback and quarterback who ranked 9th in small college passing yards in 1946. He completed 60 percent of his passes in 1947. He was one of Susquehanna’s most prolific athletes, also scoring 60 points in a basketball games against Wesley Junior College in 1949. He made the Hall of Fame in 1969.
John Zubak ’43 – Zubak played at guard, end, fullback and quarterback during his Susquehanna career. He earned Small College All-American second-team honors from his backfield positions. A four-year letterwinner and co-captain, he was later an assistant coach at Susquehanna. He was a charter member of the Hall of Fame in 1967.
| The James W. Garrett Sports Complex, Publications, and Sports Information |
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