RRockock MMystiqueystique

The Rock football mystique, a college A popular guest at football functions football phenomenon for more than 50 years, can be traced back to a 1936 The following is a list of road games played by Slippery Rock football controversy over which team, Minnesota teams against schools that “just had to have” The Rock as an opponent: or Pitt, deserved the No. 1 ranking. • 1937: at Fenway Park, Boston vs. Boston University Both the Associated Press and the Dickinson System ranked Minnesota • 1963: Oklahoma City, Okla.vs. Northeastern Oklahoma fi rst. The Football Annual and various • 1964: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, Calif. vs. Cal State-L.A. coaches polls, including the United Press • 1972: Thibodaux,Louisiana vs. Nicholls State International ranking, picked . • 1973: Tacoma, Washington vs. Puget Sound Reams of copy that spewed the • 1976: Kingsville, Texas vs. Texas A&I-Kingsville platitudes of the Panthers and Golden Gophers, compared scores and schedules • 1979: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor vs. Shippensburg – and even cheerleaders. One sportswriter • 1981: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor vs. Wayne State, MI thought the argument was foolish. To • 1990: Citrus Bowl, Orlando, Fla. vs. Central Florida prove it, he wrote a story supporting • 1998: Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Fla. vs. South Florida Slippery Rock for No. 1. • 2001: Pro Player Stadium, Miami, Fla. vs. Florida Atlantic Backtracking across the scores from the ‘36 season, the journalist proved his point: FANS’ FAVORITE Slippery Rock beat Westminster, which Dubbed “the Snoopy of college beat West Virginia Wesleyan, which beat football,” Slippery Rock is the team that Duquesne, which beat Pitt, which beat everybody in America seems to love. But, Notre Dame, which beat Northwestern, unlike the famous Peanuts’ character, The which beat Minnesota. Rock really does exist. How could anyone argue with that The numbers are dwindling, but fans logic? still think the report of a Rock score is Readers of the article, which was pure fabrication. reprinted by newspapers all over the Often the climactic country, apparently enjoyed a story that score, the Slippery Rock grid result poked fun at big football schools and invokes a laugh – or at least a smile – from supported a small one. They loved the fans in stadiums from Ann Arbor to Austin name “Slippery Rock.” As a name for a and from Chapel Hill to Berkeley. typical small school, it seemed almost too The public address announcer or good to be true. scoreboard host on radio or television will Some 33 years later, another writer, often hold the Slippery Rock score for Bob Payne, made a case for The Rock last. It is a traditional Saturday afternoon playing in the 1969 Rose Bowl in occurrence throughout the nation. Pasadena, Calif. One year after The Rock was declared Payne duly pointed out a “which beat” as the mythical national champion by sequence that included The Rock and, the aforementioned sportswriter, Boston among others, Virginia, Texas-El Paso, scribe William Gary Cunningham was instrumental in persuading Boston Rock assistant coach Doug Clinger Kansas, Syracuse, Iowa State, Brigham supervises as players stretch prior to a University to schedule Slippery Rock in Young, Arizona, Utah, Arizona State, workout at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor. Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan State and the 1937 season-opening game. The Rock’s 1979 game vs. PSAC division Michigan – which had earned a berth A crowd of 6,000 fans – considered rival Shippensburg drew the largest crowd in in the 1969 Rose Bowl as the Big Ten “large” at the time – gathered at Fenway NCAA Division II history. SRU returned to Conference champion. Park for the game. Many came to prove to “The Big House” two seasons later to open Payne further validated his contention themselves and friends that Slippery Rock the 1981 season vs. Wayne State (Mich.) by pointing out Michigan had beaten actually existed. Purdue, which beat Notre Dame, which To the crowd’s astonishment, The Rock in the third quarter, unveiled a hidden- tied Southern – which had took the opening kickoff and marched ball trick for their fi nal tally in a 20-0 earned the berth opposite Michigan in that nearly the length of the fi eld before the win. But that did not deter the honorary year’s Rose Bowl game. drive stopped inside the Boston University SRU alumni from the Boston area from 5-yard line. The hosts scored twice early frantically waving Green and White in the game on razzle-dazzle plays, then, pennants. RRockock MMystiqueystique

SOUGHT-AFTER SCORE Once, during a University of Texas game, the public address announcer gave other scores during the halftime break, but omitted The Rock score. When he was fi nished, someone in the crowd shouted, “What’s the Slippery Rock score?” The cry was taken up at once. A hurried call was placed to Slippery Rock and, soon afterward, came the news that The Rock had won, which caused the crowd to erupt with a mighty cheer. In 1970, Texas announcer Wally Pryor gave The Rock score and suggested fans might write and congratulate The Rock for its winning season (6-3 fi nal record). The Rock opened the 2001 season against Florida Atlantic University at Pro Player People cheer for Slippery Rock because Stadium in Davie, Fla., the home of the NFL Miami Dolphins, in FAU’s fi rst-ever game. they think the name sounds funny. That’s The SRU Sports Information Offi ce rented a billboard (pictured below) on the Florida why Rock football team has the largest Turnpike, a few miles from the stadium, to help promoto the event. honorary alumni body of any school in the country, with the possible exception of Notre Dame. Sidewalk alumni fan clubs, offi cial and semi-offi cial, have been documented across the nation. There are fans who will call from all corners of the country to hear a fi nal score, who will pull off the highway and spend $100 or more at the school’s bookstore, who will stand and cheer when the public address announcer heralds another Slippery Rock victory. Why? Because there’s a piece of The Rock in all of us. to Kingsville, Texas, to take on perennial Even today ESPN The Magazine “Slippery Rock is the USA’s college power Texas A&I University. columnist Rick Reilly frequently refers to football cult team,” USA Today’s Erik In 1979, and again in 1981, The Rock his prized Slippery Rock gym shorts. Brady once wrote. played games at Michigan Stadium in Ann The Slippery Rock name shows no BOUNTIFUL REWARDS Arbor. SRU drew more than 60,000 fans – signs of losing its magnetism. The Slippery Rock mystique has led to to this day, the largest crowd to see an The Rock made its fi rst trip to Florida some interesting games. The 1937 game NCAA Division II football game – for in 1990 when it met Central Florida in in Boston was but the fi rst known “guest their 1979 game against PSAC Western the season fi nale at the Citrus Bowl in appearance” made by The Rock. Division rival Shippensburg and attracted Orlando. In 1998, The Rock opened its In 1963, SRU played against 30,000 fans for its 1981 season-opening season against South Florida in the fi nal Northwestern (Oklahoma) State in the game against Wayne State (Mich.) game played in Tampa Stadium. All-Sports Bowl at Oklahoma City. The The foundation for the trips to Ann The Rock opened 2001 at Pro Player following fall, more than 15,000 fans Arbor were laid many years prior when Stadium in Miami as the fi rst-ever foe for turned out at Pasadena’s famed Rose Bowl Steve Filipiak, public address announcer Florida Atlantic. to see The Rock tackle California State at Michigan Stadium from 1959-71, was The game with FAU (which is now a College (at Los Angeles). one of the fi rst people to report scores to Division I-A competitor), 2002’s season- In 1972, SRU ventured into Louisiana big-time college football crowds. opening date with Eastern Kentucky and to take on Nicholls State – a team that Consequently, fans throughout the dates with Youngstown State extended “just had to schedule Slippery Rock for nation wanted a Slippery Rock T-shirt or to 13 the string of seasons in which The the fi rst game played in our sweatshirt. Rock played an NCAA Division I-AA new stadium.” The demand for Rock apparel got opponent. A year later, SRU jetted across the prime time exposure in 1982, when actor The Rock Mystique isn’t a phenomenon country to face Puget Sound in Tacoma, Ted Knight, as Henry Rush on the ABC- fans appreciate only from afar. Closer to Washington, and, in 1976, The Rock went TV series “Too Close for Comfort,” wore home, The Rock has been the recipient of a Slippery Rock sweatshirt. recognition from ’ RRockock MMystiqueystique radio broadcaster Mike Lange, Since 1900, The Rock has who regularly referred to fellow How SLIPPERY ROCK Got Its NameName posted a winning mark of 59 NHL Hall of Famer as byby JJackack M.M. MacDonaldMacDonald percent with a record of 494 “Slippery Rock Joe” for his snake- wins, 328 losses and 42 ties. like movements on the ice. Settler:Settler: G Goshosh all hemlock! What do I seesee?? Since becoming a State Teachers Rock Football also had a A redskin pointin’ his gun at me? College in 1926, The Rock has chapter dedicated to its history Indian:Indian: That’s right, Pale Face ... since I’m discovered compiled a 399-269-28 record that in Steel City Gridirons, a book D Don’ton’t move a step. I’veI’ve got you covered.covered. is recognized by the NCAA as Settler:Settler: I’m travelin,’ Varmint. I’m on my way ...... published in 2006 that chronicled the school’s offi cial record. SRU My hair won’t hang from your belt this day.day. football fanaticism in the Indian:Indian: You may be fast but I’ll have that scalscalpp boasts a winning record against 41 Pittsburgh/western If I have to climb the highest AlpAlp of 63 teams against which it has region. Settler:Settler: No Alps for me. I’ll chance the creek.creek. competed since 1900, including WHAT IS Hurrah! You missed. What a narrow squeak.squeak. fi ve of six PSAC West rivals and WECHACHOCHAPOHKA? Indian:Indian: There’s no use hopping from stone to stonstonee 11 of 13 PSAC brethren. Stories of how Slippery Rock M Myy tomatomahawkhawk cleavescleaves thethe toughesttoughest bone.bone. HIGH STANDARDS received its name are nearly as Settler:Settler: This Eliza act is durned realisticrealistic Rock football teams have been colorful as the name itself. The Pardon me,me, Varmint. That’s anachronistic.anachronistic. led into battle by 15 different head Indian:Indian: That two-dollar word ... it may be your laslastt favorite tale goes like this: coaches and have recorded fi ve I’ve got you, White Man. Your future’s past.past. In 1779, a certain Colonel Settler:Settler: Ha, ha ... you fell. With all your talktalk undefeated seasons, including a Daniel Brodhead was in command You don’t see that slippery rock!rock! trio of squads that were unbeaten of Fort Pitt at the present site Indian:Indian: The God of Waters is mad at mmee and untied. Fourteen SRU teams, of the City of Pittsburgh. Col. Fatherless orphans will fill my tepee.tepee. the last being the 1974 unit, lost Brodhead begged General George Settler:Settler: Oh Oh,, no,no, Redskin. I’m not much fer killin’killin’ just one game in a season. Twenty Washington to allow him to You’ll yet live to see your wife and children.children. other Rock teams, most notably lead an expedition against the Indian:Indian: But why, White Man? I’d have killed youyou.. the 1971-73 and 1997-99 teams, Seneca Indians, who were raiding The same fate is right for me, too.too. lost just twice. Settler:Settler: Listen, Varmint, for many a weekweek settlements in the area. A bond between those latter six I hunted a name for this blamed creekcreek The troops encountered the Something suitable, a name that stickssticks teams is George Mihalik, The Indians and were forced to feel And until you fell I was in a fix Rock’s head coach since 1988 for their lives. In the pursuit, But right here and now, without much talktalk and the for Bob the soldiers crossed a creek at a We’ve named this creek ... the Slippery RockRock DiSpirito’s 1971-73 squads. place where the stream bed was If a town grows up, that’s its name, tootoo Four of SRU’s undefeated composed of large, smooth rocks. If folks think it’s funny ... what can they do?do? teams (1924, 1933, 1939, Wearing boots, the soldiers were W We’lle’ll bebe legend,legend, andand we’llwe’ll bebe to blameblame 1945) were coached by N. Kerr able to cross the creek safely, but But they’ll have to stick with this funny namename Thompson. During his 24-year When I saw you skid for half a blockblock the Senecas – wearing smooth coaching tenure at The Rock, I knew right then ‘twould be “Slippery Rock.” moccasins – slipped and fell, his squads had a winning ratio which enabled the cavalry to make ReprintedReprinted from WinterWinter 1976 “The Rock”Rock” of better than two wins per three its escape. MagazineMagazine for SipperySippery Rock State AlumniAlumni contests, won 12 divisional and Historically, the Indians called eight state crowns – and only four the stream “Wechachochapohka,” losing seasons. which means “a slippery rock.” Never was that more true than from Rock football returned to Since the location of the stream is 1997-2000, during which time The Rock national prominence in the early 1960s in the heart of land once occupied by reigned as the No. 1 team in the PSAC’s under Chuck Godlasky, who guided The Delawares, many believe the authenticity Western Division and earned three NCAA Rock to three straight Western Division of this legend. Shortly after the Slippery playoff berths. championships and its ninth state title Rock Creek was christened, the adjoining Football made its fi rst appearance in 1962. His 1962 and 1963 teams both town also became known by the catchy on the Slippery Rock campus in 1898, advanced to postseason bowl games. name. one decade after the formal opening of DiSpirito (79-60-3 record in 15 The mystique that Slippery Rock Slippery Rock State Normal School. The seasons) led the program to new heights. football enjoys to this day is rooted in a Rock has competed on an intercollegiate He led SRU to an unprecedented three solid tradition of success. SRU has had basis since 1900 with the notable straight conference titles (1972-74), as undefeated teams, nationally ranked teams exceptions of 1943 and 1944. There were well as a share of the 1976 title. Two of and postseason playoff teams and been no teams fi elded during those two seasons his teams competed in NCAA-sanctioned competitive, year in and year out, against because of America’s involvement in bowl games and his squads won 20 all comers. World War II. straight home games from 1971-74. RRockock MMystiqueystique

Mihalik has returned The Rock to the pinnacle of success and, in the process, earned himself the distinction of being the school’s all-time leader in wins. He led The Rock to a fourth straight PSAC-West title in 2000. His teams secured three straight NCAA berths from 1997 to 1999. The 1999 team fi nished the regular season ranked No. 2 nationally, the highest ranking in school history, on the heels of a No. 5 ranking in 1998 and a No. 7 fi nish in 1997. The Class of 2001 is the most successful group in SRU football history. The 24-player group won 41 of 50 games, including a 23-1 PSAC-Western Division record, from 1997 to 2000. That group won 19 consecutive home victories before losing in the 1999 season fi nale and helped The Rock win 36 straight regular- season games against NCAA Division II opponents from 1996-2000. In true Snoopy-like fashion, Rock football has proven you don’t have to be big to be famous.

Big-time Rockin’

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RICKY PORTER CHUCK SANDERS GREG PATERRA BRANDON FUSCO 1982 12th Round 1986 11th Round 1989 11th Round 2011 Sixth Round 319th overall 293rd overall 286th overall 172nd overall Detroit Lions San Diego Chargers Atlanta Falcons Minnesota Vikings

MIKE DAVID GREG MATT JOHN BUTTERWORTH FLICK HOPKINS KINSINGER SIKORA 2008 Free Agent 2002-2008 1998-2006 2000-08 1999-2008 NFL Atlanta Falcons Canadian Football League Arena Football League Arena Football League RRockock MMystiqueystique

DUANE KIRKLIN (Class of 1964) will be the 12th member of the “Charlie’s Boys” group to be inducted into the SRU The 1972 Rock squad, under the guidance of Head Coach Bob DiSpirito (center), celebrates Athletic Hall of Fame. Kirklin, pictured after winning the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championship game. above, will be one of seven honorees spotlighted Sept. 26 as part of The Rock’s Sept. 26 home game against PSAC- Tut Melman (1932) ...... 1992 Western Division archrival Indiana (Pa.). George Mihalik (1974)...... 1997 “Charlie’s Boys” is comprised of men Ray Nedwidek (1948) ...... 1996 who played under former Slippery Rock Tim Nunes (1973) ...... 1994 head football coach Charles Godlasky in Connie Palumbo (1957) ...... 1984 the early 1960’s. The group, which gets Bob Phillips (1950) ...... 1987 together every two years, held its 50th Ricky Porter (1983) ...... 1993 anniversary reunion last summer. Bruno Raso (1961) ...... 1991 William Rometo (1946) ...... 2009 ROCK HALL OF FAMERS John Ross (1970)...... 1991 A total of 59 former Rock Howard “Hooks” Sample (1941) ...... 1985 football players or coaches have been Chuck Sanders (1986) ...... 1997 inducted into the SRU Athletic Hall of Bob Siar (1955) ...... 2001 Fame during its 26-year history: Jeff Siemianowski (1974) ...... 1998 Jerry Skocik (1976) ...... 2008 Inductee (Grad. year) Year George Stonis (1935) ...... 1987 Wade Acker (1985) ...... 1999 Milan Tatala (1935) ...... 1988 Alfred Barnes (1938) ...... 1990 Bill Temple (1941) ...... 1988 Jerry Bejbl (1963) ...... 1986 N. Kerr Thompson (Coach) ...... 1984 Loyal Briggs (1938) ...... 2000 Dennis Tilko (1974) ...... 1990 Tom Carey (1943) ...... 1989 Paul Uram (1949) ...... 1986 Gus Catanese (1966) ...... 1991 The Rock collected several trophies during Roy Van Horn (1940) ...... 1986 Ed Cottrell (1943) ...... 2003 its reign of supremacy from 1997-2000. Chad Vogt (1997) ...... 2007 Quentin Currie (1962) ...... 2002 Jay Wagner (1970) ...... 2005 Ed Hepe (1954) ...... 1987 John Dahlstrand (1983) ...... 2002 Joe Walters (1968) ...... 2007 Blair Hildebrand (1948) ...... 2008 Joe Daniels (1964) ...... 2004 Russell Wright (1923) ...... 1986 Greg Hopkins (1995) ...... 2005 Bob DiSpirito (Coach) ...... 1985 Athletic Administrators John Kauffman (1940) ...... 1985 Tom Dolde (1960) ...... 2003 John Carpenter (SID) ...... 2002 William Kelly (1965) ...... 2005 Denny Douds (1963) ...... 1990 Darrell Hess (SID) ...... 1997 Duane Kirklin (1964) ...... 2009 Chuck Dunaway (1962) ...... 2000 Bill Lennox (AD) ...... 1995 Mike Kish (1973) ...... 1995 Tony Emanuele (1983) ...... 2007 Dr. Richard McLachlan (MD) ...... 1990 Chuck Klausing (1948) ...... 1991 Terry Factor (1974) ...... 1993 Bob Raymond (AD) ...... 2000 Chuck Godlasky (Coach) ...... 1987 John Madden (1942) ...... 1989 Oliver Gordon (1925) ...... 1987 Jim McElhaney (1964) ...... 1989 Elmer “Tuggles” Gross (1941) ...... 1984 Randy McKavish (2000) ...... 2010 Mike Hambrick (1984) ...... 2010 Bill Meise (1947) ...... 1989 RRockock MMystiqueystique

“Since a Saturday afternoon decades ago when a University of Texas Stadium announcer inadver- tantly broadcast a Slippery Rock show, the football world has clutched Slippery Rock to its bosom like the Snoopy dog that is the school’s unoffi cial mascot.” Susan Reimer, Baltimore Sun

“A presidential candidate in the New Hampshire primary would love to have the name recognition of Slippery Rock.” Beano Cook, ABC-TV/ESPN college football analyst

“Slippery Rock shows college football almost from another time, a simpler time, and it’s refreshing. Just the name brings that smile.” Bob Frick, Nashville Banner

“If Notre Dame is America’s premium college football team, Slippery Rock is everyone’s favorite un- leaded.” Jack Wilkinson, New York Daily News

“The words almost have a feeling of fantasy, leaping at the eye from a block of agate type in company with Harvard, Michigan, Army and Penn State; Slippery Rock.” Dick Hitt, American Airlines’ in-fl ight magazine

“Most fans know Slippery Rock only as a name inserted for laughs when public address announcers at big-time football games are reciting the scores of other big games. But there really is a Slippery Rock, and there really is a potent football tradition there.” David J. Graulich, Wall Street Journal

“... A Sunday paper without the Slippery Rock score is as useless as a soap opera without a bunch of doctors standing around drinking coffee.” John Kelso, Austin Herald-American

“They could be called America’s small college team. People cheer for them when they win and go ‘aw’ when they lose.” Bruce Madej, U. of Michigan sports information director

“Slippery Rock is as much a part of the national folklore as the land of Oz. But there are about as many people who know the whereabouts of Slippery Rock as there were Munchkins who befriended the Wicked Witch.” Cary Walker, UCLA Bruin (student newspaper)

“I experienced the very essence of college sports: seeing people who have no good reason to get together, who have no excuse to be so excited except for the thrill of their alma mater and love for the game of football.” Florida Atlantic head coach Howard Schnellenberger during an SRU alumni gathering prior to the season-opening 2001 Rock-FAU game at Pro Player Stadium in Miami