500 and Counting: Football Program Celebrates Landmark Victory

(PITTSBURGH, Pa.) – The Carnegie Mellon football program celebrated its 500th victory on Friday, April 20, as more than 60 alums joined current and former staff members on campus at the Tartans Pavilion. Carnegie Mellon registered its 500th win with a 28-13 victory at the University of Chicago on November 5, 2011.

Carnegie Mellon President Jared Cohon addressed the attendees at the celebration, and boasted of the program's academic and athletic success. Cohon noted that the Tartans have had at least two Academic All-Americans in each of the past seven seasons, and have had 20 players achieve a 4.0 grade-point average during the past two semesters.

Cohon also took time to recognize the accomplishments of head football coach Rich Lackner, who recently completed his 26th year at the helm of the program. Lackner, who was a standout player for the Tartans from 1975-78, also served as an assistant coach for seven seasons before taking over the program from Chuck Klausing in 1986.

Lackner spoke at the celebration, and thanked the players, current and former coaching staffs for their role in the program's success.

"Friday night's celebration of our 500th win as a football program was incredible," Lackner said. "It was great catching up with former teammates and players who I have not seen in years.  The highlight of the evening for me was the opportunity to reminisce with guys who have meant so much to me as their coach and/or teammate."

Director of Athletics Susan Bassett served as program host on Friday evening, and talked about what it takes to achieve such a significant program milestone.

"In athletics we talk about team, camaraderie and togetherness. You can't win with one, and there is no greater team game than football," Bassett said. "What has always struck me about you, about this program, is that there is a tremendous sense of team. With that attitude comes success – which is why we're here today."

Klausing, who coached the Tartans from 1976-1985 and won six conference titles during his 11-year tenure, also spoke at the celebration. Former Tartan Roger Roble '86 paid tribute to both Lackner and Klausing.

Joe Orlowski '86 attended the 500th victory celebration and enjoyed the opportunity to stroll down memory lane with his teammates and coaches.

"Carnegie Mellon has a wonderful history of winning football and achieving that tradition while maintaining the strong academic standards that makes us the rival of other higher education institutions," Orlowski said. "The football alumni event reminded me why my time there as a player remain some of my fondest memories."

Former football players from many different eras attended Friday's celebration. 2004 graduate Chad Zimmerman had the opportunity to share the experience with his wife and daughter.

"The 500th win celebration was a terrific event that brought generations of Tartan football players together. It was great to see old teammates, catch up with past coaches and hear from and honor two of CMU's most successful head coaches--Coach Lackner and Coach Klausing," Zimmerman said. "Being part of the CMU football tradition is a tremendous honor and it was a special night to be able to celebrate with a great number of the football team family."

The Tartans will look for win No. 501 when they open the 2012 season against Grove City on September 1, 2012.

Check out some photos from the event.