Cheerleading Coach Christa Snyder, upper left, joins in a practice of alumni cheerleaders Amy Leiter '96 Kauffman, Roberta Gaetz '48 Palmer, and Jenn Botchie '99.

Two Susquehanna alumni who played football in the 1960s under coach Jim Garrett helped pay special tribute to him during Homecoming 2001 with the naming of Susquehanna's new sports complex in his honor.

Richard E. Caruso '65, Ph.D., a member of the Susquehanna Athletic Hall of Fame, founder of the Football Alumni Association and a member of the board of directors, provided the leadership gift. Susquehanna Board Chair Nicholas A. Lopardo '68, also a member of the Hall of Fame, provided additional major support, with other gifts coming from former players and friends. Robert A. Pittello '51, Susquehanna's offensive line coach for 35 years, championed the effort to honor Garrett. Alumni, players and friends also recognized Pittello with the naming of a new football locker room in his honor.

Garrett compiled a 39-11-1 record at Susquehanna from 1960-65, including undefeated seasons in 1961 and 1962; an unbeaten string of 22 games, longest in the country at the time; and a stunning 22-18 win over highly-ranked Division I Temple University in 1963. "They were amazing football teams," Garrett said of his players. "And they were amazing young men."

He later served as head football coach at Columbia University and as head coach of the Houston Texans franchise of the World Football League. He spent 38 years in the National Football League as an assistant coach with the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns; and as a scout with the Cowboys.

Susquehanna completed a $14 million renovation and expansion of athletic facilities in the 2000-2001. The complex includes O.W. Houts Gymnasium, physical education facilities, and new components such as the Nicholas A. Lopardo Football and Track Stadium, Clyde H. Jacobs Fitness Center, Harold Bollinger Baseball Field, a 51,000-square-foot field house, racquetball courts, new offices and meeting spaces, and a student lounge with café dining.

Goodbye Grass, Hello Field Turf

Barb Weigle '89, Jennifer E. Ashton '00, Tracy Gillin '89, Jennifer L. Mitman '00, Melissa Fetsko '96 and Janeen Kruse '79 Wadzita were among those on hand for a volleyball match.

Football, field hockey and men's lacrosse varsity teams will be able to compete on a new, high-tech field surface on Susquehanna's Amos Alonzo Stagg Field starting in mid-2002. The field will also be available for intramural and recreational activities as well as a potential practice venue for varsity soccer and women's lacrosse teams.

The synthetic product, called Field Turf, "has proven to be natural in its performance and produces a lower rate of injury than even natural grass," says Don Harnum, the University's director of athletics. "The new surface will allow us to have multiple activities on the same or successive days including intramurals and other recreation." The current natural grass field surface will be moved to the Douglas Arthur Practice Field.

The project will also include the addition of lighting that will allow use of the field after dark.

Men's Soccer Alumni returned for a spirited match with the varsity team at Homecoming 2001. Front row, from left to right: Bill Cleary '01, John Steigerwald '00, Chris Herdman '97, Sal Saladino '01, Steve Russo '01, Chris Yearicks '00, Jeff Shields '94 and Tim Bardar, '00. Back row, from left to right: Justin Dively, former assistant, Josh Steffen '00, Greg Rhodes '00, Brian Williams '99, Eric Flowers '99, Andy Jacob '01, Paul Detweiler '99, Nick Hoffman '01, Ryan White '01, Jeremy Zimmerman '01, Steve Harkins '01, Terry Brennan, assistant coach, Jim Findlay, head coach. Soccer alumni meet for games together each fall and spring. Anyone interested, contact Jim Findlay at Findlay@susqu.edu or 570-372-4277.