8980 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE May 10, 1999 Battle Efficiency ‘‘E’’ Award, the Ney fans and players that they had never Taking Miami to the title game and beat- award, and the Best Ship’s Store Sales experienced before. It was this winning ing a legendary Nebraska team was improb- and Service Award. Vicksburg distin- spirit that helped Howard lead Car- able. But at least that school had played in guished herself as Air Warfare Com- dinals football to its present glory. big bowl games and had long-aspired to Howard believed in his team and his greatness. mander for the John F. Kennedy Tackling the job at Louisville, where bas- Battlegroup while deployed to the Med- school, and set no meager goals for ketball had been the only local sports lan- iterranean and Persian Gulf. them. He wanted nothing less than to guage for decades? That was a massive un- Captain Shields completed shore as- transform them from a team that dertaking the size of which even signments at the Navy Postgraduate hadn’t had a winning season in years, Schnellenberger had underestimated. School where he earned a Masters of to a team that would be a legitimate After one of his first spring practices at Science Degree in Engineering Acous- bowl contender. While U of L may still Louisville, held long before the new fresh- tics; the Royal Navy Staff College in have some progress to make, the Cards men could arrive, Schnellenberger called a staff member to his office. The coach was Greenwich, England; and in a variety have played in, and won, several bowl games in recent years—and for that, slumped in his chair. He looked tired, dis- of assignments in Washington, D.C. In turbed and suddenly very gray. Washington, he was assigned to the Howard is largely responsible. ‘‘Did you see that practice? Did you see staff of the Chief of Naval Operations I have no doubt that Howard will that?’’ he asked as if he were recounting a in the Research, Development and Ac- have as significant an effect on Florida nightmare. ‘‘What in the world have we got- quisition Directorate and then com- Atlantic University as he had on U of ten ourselves into here?’’ pleted a year as a Federal Executive L. Howard will have a chance to build There was no answer. Fellow at the American Enterprise In- this program from the ground-up—as of No one, not even a veteran coach like yet, FAU doesn’t even have a team. As Schnellenberger, could have known how hard stitute. Captain Shields first came in it was going to be, or how much work there contact with our nation’s lawmakers FAU’s Director of Football Operations, Howard will hand-pick the staff and was to be done or even what unexpected ob- when he served as a Congressional Liai- stacles, both seen and unseen, would be son Officer for surface ship programs in the players and mold the football pro- thrown into the path of progress. the Navy’s Office of Legislative Affairs. gram in the likeness of his previous But he pressed on with the same con- With many successful at-sea and shore success stories. With Howard’s track fidence, singleness of purpose and unceasing tours behind him, Captain Shields’ was record, FAU can expect an exciting energy that he’s armed with at Florida At- then handpicked to serve as Deputy program that will build steadily to- lantic. At Louisville, it was a dream of Top-25 Legislative Assistant to the Chairman ward future success. Thank you, Howard, for your nine rankings, national television appearances, of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. His cur- home sellouts, bowl bids and a new stadium, rent, and last, assignment has been years of dedicated service to the Uni- versity of Louisville, which resulted in that kept the Cardinal football family going with the Navy’s Office of Legislative during the early years. Affairs where he is Deputy Chief. a winning team and a top-quality pro- Back in 1985, when the Cards opened their Captain Shields is a dynamic and re- gram. Five years after your departure, first season under Schnellenberger at West sourceful naval officer who throughout your spirit continues to drive the Car- Virginia, the lineup was iffy to say the least. his tenure has proven to be an indis- dinals football program toward victory. One starting defensive back was a fresh- pensable asset. He is a passionate advo- Best wishes at Florida Atlantic Univer- man who had played quarterback in high sity, and may God bless you and school, and the other corner was a freshman cate of the Sea Services and has been who had played middle guard as a prep play- tireless in supporting the needs of the Beverlee in this exciting adventure. Mr. President, I ask to have printed er. One of the starting defensive tackles was Sailors in the Fleet and their families. a freshman who had never lined up in a in the RECORD a copy of a January 1999 He understands better than anyone three-point stance in his life. The Louisville that they are truly the backbone of our article, ‘‘The Louisville Prototype,’’ Cardinals were simply outmanned and that national defense. His superior contribu- which appeared in the FAU Sports Di- was the way things were going to be for a tions and distinguished service will gest. while. The article follows. have long-term benefits for both the Today, thanks largely to Schnellenberger’s efforts, the Cards are fresh off their third Navy and the country he so proudly THE FLORIDA ATLANTIC FOOTBALL PROGRAM WILL LARGELY BE MODELED AFTER WHAT bowl game in the ’90s, and their facilities served. As Captain Shields enters into HOWARD SCHNELLENBERGER BUILT AT LOU- draw raves from the likes of award-winning his new profession, we will certainly ISVILLE, A PROGRAM WHICH MIGHT AS WELL quarterback Cade McNown. In town recently miss him. I am proud to thank him for HAVE BEEN STARTED FROM SCRATCH to receive the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm his service and wish him ‘‘fair winds (By Ron Steiner) Award as the nation’s top senior quarter- back, McNown raved about the new stadium and following seas’’ as he concludes his LOUISVILLE—At Miami, Coach Howard distinguished Naval career.∑ Schnellenberger revived a collegiate football and football complex. ‘‘I only wish we had facilities like these at f program that was on the verge of extinction and won a national championship. Writers UCLA,’’ McNown said. TRIBUTE TO HOWARD called that effort the ‘‘Miracle of Miami.’’ It wasn’t that way when Schnellenberger SCHNELLENBERGER At Louisville, his hometown, toiled to jump-start the program. Schnellenberger was the last hope for a pro- Back then, summer preseason practice ses- ∑ Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I gram headed for the scrap heap. He built a sions were held on the school’s suburban rise today to thank my good friend team that went on to crush Alabama in the campus where grass fields were watered by Howard Schnellenberger for making 20th Anniversary Fiesta Bowl, and that in- garden hoses and makeshift, homemade University of Louisville football the spired construction of the school’s first true sprinklers. There weren’t many players on success that it is, and wish him the on-campus stadium, a $68 million structure the team to start with and when some got a best in his latest endeavor to build a financed almost entirely by the fans. In Ken- close look at the new way of doing things, tucky they call that effort ‘‘The Miracle on there were fewer. completely new football program at During the season, seven huge linemen Florida Atlantic University. Floyd St.’’ For Howard Schnellenberger, today it is would meet with their assistant coaches in Howard was the Cardinal’s football his blueprint. tiny 10-foot offices built for one. Back then, coach for nine years and, when he left, Now, the veteran coach is about to go for closets were cleaned out and transformed had re-created the program to be un- the hat trick by building a totally new colle- into offices. Walls were knocked down. Pic- like any the University of Louisville giate football program at Florida Atlantic tures and inspirational signs were nailed up. had ever seen. Howard didn’t just talk University in Boca Raton and much of what They cried out: ‘‘Be Positive or Be Gone’’ about what he wanted to accomplish at he does at FAU will be modeled after what and ‘‘It takes everyone to be No. 1’’ and U of L, he delivered. He recruited bet- was successful at Louisville, a program that ‘‘What have you done today to help Louis- might as well have been built from scratch. ville win tomorrow?’’ ter players, he initiated plans for a Based on Schnellenberger’s track record, Back then, there were three phone lines for brand new state-of-the-art stadium, it’s a safe bet that he has at least one more a 40-person staff. Coaches making recruiting and most importantly he inspired a miracle tucked away some-where in the calls and other staff members handling reg- kind of spirit in the Cardinals’ faculty, pocket of his blazer. ular business would wait for a free line, like

VerDate Aug 04 2004 13:53 Oct 02, 2004 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR99\S10MY9.000 S10MY9 May 10, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE 8981 contestants on a game show. When one of the For example, NFL All Pro defensive tackle to wade through administrative bureauc- three lights on the phone set would go dark, Ted Washington of the Buffalo Bills, a racies and to build a football team that they would battle to see who could punch it Tampa native, recently recalled his playing would energize the community. up first. days at Louisville under Schnellenberger. As the program improved, fan interest And back in ’85, the foundation for a Top 25 ‘‘It seemed like every day we would hear grew. New attendance records were set. Top contender was quietly being built in a small the coach say his favorite saying—‘To Be- teams like Texas, Texas A&M, Florida, Flor- brick building on the property of the Ken- lieve is to be Strong.’ At the time I guess I ida State, Arizona State and Tennessee were tucky Fairgrounds, among mules and jacks didn’t understand what it meant,’’ Wash- scheduled. Winning seasons turned into near- and the largest bulls you’ve ever seen. ington said. ‘‘But I do now, and a day doesn’t perfect seasons. And then came decision The University of Louisville was trying to go by that I don’t use the phrase myself in time. recruit its stars of the future in the middle football, in charity work and in working in When it became clear that a new stadium of mobile home shows, gun shows, flea mar- the community.’’ at Louisville would have to be built with pri- kets, ice shows, and appropriately, the cir- Washington is just one of three NFL stars vate funds, skeptics chuckled. After all, no cus. who played at Louisville who have been se- modern-day university had ever achieved As hard as it is to believe since Florida At- lected to this year’s Pro Bowl. New Orleans such a feat. lantic doesn’t even have a team yet, defensive end Joe Johnson and the Atlantic But on June 2, 1993, the overall plan for Schnellenberger will be dealing with a better Falcons’ defensive back Ray Buchanan were fans to fund the new stadium was in place. hand in his role as Director of Football Oper- Schnellenberger recruits who bought into But no one knew for sure how the fans would ations. the dream of building a tough-minded, top- react. He’ll oversee the construction of on-cam- quality program. That warm evening the U of L Athletic De- pus facilities and develop a program with a Perhaps the most dramatic example of the partment conducted its most amazing day of tremendous population base for recruiting, a Schnellenberger magic is the sparkling new fund-raising ever. A kickoff party designed great climate and instant visibility in a foot- stadium that stands on the southernmost primarily as an information session, turned ball-crazy state. There will be tough sled- edge of the campus of the University of Lou- into a bonanza. Fans began writing checks. ding, nonetheless. But they will be experi- isville. Big checks. And it was all the staff could do ences with a blend of familiarity. It goes At first, the idea of building a proud foot- to keep up with the outpouring of support. with the territory of building something ball program at Louisville and then the abso- On that pivotal day, Cardinal loyalists that will last. lute best stadium in the state was mocked pledge more than $1 million. And suddenly, At Louisville, there were plenty of times by some local writers who called it simply a the effort had the momentum it needed. he would wonder. At times, he would go out pipe dream. After all, the future of Cardinal ‘‘What happened that day and throughout on game day knowing as an expert that the football was a fragile thing in the late 1980s. the stadium campaign, was unprecedented in other team would have to fumble four times Again, there had been talk of de-emphasizing college sports,’’ said Dean Billick, now ath- and throw four interceptions if his team was the sport, possibly dropping back to Division letic director at Lamar University in Texas to have a chance to even keep the score I–AA or disbanding completely. who served as a consultant to the stadium close. But then came Schnellenberger. And then drive for four months. But the next day he would always return came winning seasons, bowl victories and ‘‘The passion the U of L fans had for their to his office before dawn, whistling, and with sellout crowds. If ever Louisville was going program and for that project was remark- a new idea, something that needed fixing, a to fulfill its football destiny, if ever there able. People were taking out second mort- new phone call to make, something—any- was going to be a time to give the program gages on their homes to be able to buy life- thing—that would bring progress that day. a solid foundation for the future, the time time seats. Some people were making com- He hid his doubts very well. He had to. If the had come. mitments that were probably beyond what head coach didn’t believe, then who else Schnellenberger’s quiet belief was that they could afford. But their commitment to would? once U of L and the Greater Louisville com- making the stadium happen is something I Back then, like now, there was something munity committed to building a new sta- will never forget. After years of discussions else, too. There was something very special dium, and once that stadium was completed, and studies, the Louisville fans finally got that few modern-day teams ever experience. there would be no turning back. Football their chance at bat, and they stepped up to Adventure. would suddenly become more important than the plate and hit a home run. It was simply There was a clear-cut goal of building a ever before, and have every possible chance amazing to see.’’ program that would some day challenge the to succeed as never before. nation’s best and compete for a national From that point on, he reasoned, there In only four months, thousands of Louis- title one day. And there was something new would be a financial imperative to aim high ville fans came together to commit nearly every day. and provide fans with quality schedules and $15 million to the stadium project. They gave There was a pioneer spirit that caught on. competitive teams. Recruiting of coaches it life. Recruiting was based on that premise: and players would be enhanced immediately Corporate and political leaders, knowing a ‘‘Sure, you can go to the established pro- and for decades to come. And finally, the winner when they saw one, jumped to the grams and be just another one of a long list Louisville football program and its deserving head of the victory parade and began to sup- of players at that school. Or you can come fans would have a first-class home to call port the project. Others like Papa John’s with us and make a major difference. You their own. Pizza founder John Schnatter, saw it as a can come with us and help create something. Today the stadium that Schnellenberger way for a hometown boy to give back to his It won’t be easy. In fact, we guarantee it will and his early recruits could only dream community, and he pitched in $5 million. probably be the hardest thing you will ever about is a reality. It is considered the finest, But without the fans some of whom do. But you will be part of something truly most fan-friendly college stadium in Amer- pledged as little as $25 per year, and some special. Something important. Something ica today. It has a state-of-the-art playing who donated up to $25,000 per seat, Louis- lasting.’’ surface, 42,000 chairback seats, a video replay ville’s dream would never have happened. Back in the early days at Louisville, and it board, corporate suites and a magnificent Their passion for both the project and the will likely be the same if he chooses to coach club level, all of which might make some program was founded in being part of the at Florida Atlantic, there was little early NFL teams envious. dream from the very beginning. prestige. But inside themselves, the players But there’s something much more impor- They had been there for those first prac- and fans who became close to the program tant about the stadium in Louisville they tices and first games under their new coach. began to share a new spirit. The early years call Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium. It’s a They had shared the tough times and later were crazy for those close to the Cards. They testimony to the Schnellenberger way of celebrated the good times together. And they were frustrating and fulfilling all at the doing things. It’s all about vision, hard had dared to dream together. same time, tiring and exhilarating all at work, persistence, dreaming and determina- As Louisville fans prepared for their bowl once. Breaking down historic walls of resist- tion. trip this year, local country singer Mickey ance and preconceptions took time. Building Unlike many of the state of Kentucky’s Clark recorded a song to commemorate the up the program took strength. sports facilities, and many others around the Cardinals’ successful season. The title? The Together, new players, students, alumni, nation, Louisville’s new stadium is not a gift Dream Lives On. It sure does. fans, staff and friends of the program, all from the government. And that should be good news for Florida who suffered and yet enjoyed those forma- Instead it is certainly one of the most re- Atlantic fans who are about to embark on a tive years, were drawn together at Louisville markable collegiate projects ever built—by dream of their own. in a state known for basketball, in a stadium and for the people. They’ll be doing so alongside that fellow built for baseball, to create something new Schnellenberger had begun lobbying for a named Schnellenberger, who might just and special for collegiate football. Back new stadium on Dec. 1, 1984, the day he took make this new story he’s working on the then, they shared a dream. And they still do. over the Cardinal program. But it took years best one yet.∑

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