Lycoming Football: Girardi to deliver keynote address at Brotherhood Dinner

Football Hall of Fame Coach Frank Girardi
(Courtesy of John Green)

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – Frank Girardi, the Hall of Fame former Lycoming College football coach, will serve as the keynote speaker at the annual Lycoming County Brotherhood Annual Citation Dinner on Wednesday, July 31, at the Genetti Hotel and Conference Center.

Girardi, who received the Ray Keyes Sports Award from the organization in 1997, will be honored once again along with Frank Lupacchino, Paul Missigman and Blue Star Mothers.

Over the course of 36 years, Girardi cobbled together one of the finest resumes in the history of college football. He won 257 games, which still ranks 16th all-time in NCAA history. He helped Lycoming win 13 Middle Atlantic Conference titles and make 11 appearances in the NCAA Division III Tournament. He led the Warriors to the national title game in 1990 and 1997 and the semifinals in 1996.

The hallmarks of Girardi's teams seemed to always be the defense, which led Division III in total defense twice (1975, '83), rushing defense three times (1976, '82, '87) and scoring defense once (1999) during his career. By the mid-'80s, though, his offenses had the firepower to match the defense, leading the MAC in total offense for the first time in 1984 (178.5) and four more times in his career.

Steve Wiser’s 50th Year With Lycoming Football

This is Coach Wiser's lifeblood. Celebrating life experiences with
these great young men and coaches. More Photos!

Williamsport, PA - One of the most humble legends of the game that I know, Steve Wiser, “The Wizard” has been gracing the soil of Lycoming College and football for 50 years (Student player & coach). Who stays with an institution for that long these days? He has seen nine United States Presidents and five Lycoming College presidents (John G. Detwiler, The Rev. Dr. Harold H. Hutson, The Rev. Dr. Frederick E. Blumer, Dr. James E. Douthat and currently Dr. Kent C. Trachte).

"Wise" as is one of his nicknames, is the Asst. Head Coach/Co-Defensive Coordinator for the Warriors. Defense has always been in his blood and you can credit him as much as anyone for the two appearances to the National Championship games (1990 and 1997). This is not to take away anything from the College Football Hall of Fame coach Frank Girardi.