Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Update - Wiser set to receive Ray Keyes Sports Award

Steve Wiser - A Lycoming Football News file photo.
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – For his nearly half-a-century of service and dedication to the Lycoming County sports scene, longtime Lycoming College football coach Steve Wiser will be presented with the Ray Keyes Sports Award at the Lycoming County Brotherhood Annual Citation Dinner on Thursday, Oct. 4, at 5:30 p.m. at the Genetti Hotel and Conference Center.

Tickets may be purchased by calling 570-505-8327.

Wiser has served as an assistant coach with the Lycoming football team since he graduated in 1974, earning a promotion to defensive coordinator in 1977, where he has helped groom the Warrior defense into one of the best in the nation in the course of the last four decades.

During his time at Lycoming, the Warriors have posted a record of 324-144-5 (.690) while garnering 12 NCAA playoff appearances, including two trips to the national title game. His defense topped the MAC 18 times and has posted a total of 66 shutouts.

Prior to his time as a coach at Lycoming, Wiser was an All-MAC linebacker on the gridiron and a NCAA qualifier as a wrestler.


Wiser retired as a social studies teacher at Williamsport Area High School in 2006 after 32 years as an educator. At Williamsport, he also served as an assistant track and field coach and the junior high school wrestling coach. He has also run the Lycoming College football camps for the past 28 seasons, educating thousands of local players on the basics of football.

The Ray Keyes Sports Award recognizes a high personal, and ongoing commitment to the development of sports skills and sportsmanship of the youth of the county by a county resident. The Ray Keyes Sports Award was named in honor of Ray Keyes, a long-time sports writer and sports editor at the Williamsport Sun-Gazette. He was involved in almost every aspect of sports and sports reporting in the North Central Pennsylvania’s scholastic and community contests. 

Serving for many years as a Member of the Board of Directors, Ray was a steadfast promoter of sports and the region in general. This award has become recognized in the Williamsport community as a prestigious sports honor in the region.