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| (L to R) Lycoming Head Football Coach Mike Clark, Lycoming Assistant Head Coach Steve Wiser, and Lycoming College President Kent Trachte |
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – Lycoming College assistant head football coach Steve Wiser’74 was inducted into the West Branch Valley Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame on Sunday night, Nov. 10, at the 40th annual awards banquet.
Wiser, a 1974 graduate of Lycoming College, was a standout linebacker and wrestler for the Warriors before moving to the sidelines, where he has assisted the Warriors for 40 seasons, including the last 37 as defensive coordinator and assistant head coach.
He was the architect of a defensive corps that changed the fortunes of the football program in the ‘70s before presiding over a damaging defense that has won 14 MAC titles in the last 36 years.
Wiser has led the Warriors to the No. 1 national ranking in total defense twice during his tenure (1975, 1983). His teams have also posted nationally-leading numbers in rushing defense (1976, ’82 and ’87) and scoring defense (’99).
During his time at the College, the Warriors have posted a record of 301-122-5 (.709) while garnering 12 NCAA playoff appearances, including two trips to the national title game. His defense has topped the MAC 17 times and has posted a total of 66 shutouts.
Along with his coaching duties, Wiser works hard to organize the football program’s annual golf outing and ad sales for the gameday program, along with serving the community in a number of service and charity events.
As a football player, Wiser earned four letters while playing for the Warriors as a hard-nosed linebacker, earning two All-MAC honors.
As a wrestler, he placed second and third in the conference and earned a trip to the NCAA National Championships as a senior.
Wiser taught social studies at Williamsport Area High School from 1974 until his retirement in 2006.
The Warriors wrap up the 2013 regular-season on Saturday, Nov. 16, when they head to Stevenson for a 1 p.m. game. The team can win a share of the 15th Middle Atlantic Conference title in school history if Lebanon Valley falls to Albright and can also earn the MAC's NCAA Tournament bid if Widener defeats Delaware Valley along with the Lebanon Valley loss.
