After being introduced by his son, Jerry, Frank Girardi gave a two-minute speech of his own.

When he was finished, he received strong ovations from the crowd of fans gathered in the stands and the one of alumni and former players standing behind him. It was clear that the community still supported Girardi tremendously.

“That was awesome. I love Coach Girardi and I love all the guys that have played here,” said Lycoming coach Mike Clark on watching Girardi be honored today. “Coach Girardi absolutely, positively deserves the honor that he got here today. It was really cool to see this happen for him.”

Throughout his speech, he offered endless thanks.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Lycoming College former football head coach Frank Girardi gets three cheers from family members and former players during the dedication ceremony of the newly named Coach Frank Girardi Stadium at David Person Field in the Robert L. Shangraw Athletic Complex in Williamsport on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.

From President Kent Trachte and the Board of Trustees for granting him the honor, to his players and coaches for helping him guide the program to meteoric success, to the university and community for all the opportunities and support they provided for him and his family, he held endless gratitude for all that Lycoming College have given him throughout the decades.

“The best part of achieving any recognition that you may receive in your lifetime is sharing it with others,” said Girardi during his speech. “Your family, your loved ones, your friends, the outstanding fans that we have. And that’s what I’m doing today. I’m sharing this wonderful day with all of you.”

Throughout his time as the head coach of the football team, he led the Warriors to 257 wins – tenth in Division III football, 11 playoff appearances, two trips to the Stagg Bowl and 13 conference titles, cementing himself not just in Lycoming football history but NCAA football history. Along with being inducted into the Lycoming Athletics and State of Pennsylvania Hall of Fames, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2016.

“He’s one of the greatest college football coaches in the history of the sport,” said Clark when discussing Girardi. “He’s a tremendous person.”

He’d be the first to tell you he couldn’t have done it without his assistants and players, offering them gratitude and credit throughout his speech and after it. Getting to see a lot of them at today’s event was one of his favorite parts about it.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Lycoming College former football head coach Frank Girardi makes comments during the dedication ceremony of the newly named Coach Frank Girardi Stadium at David Person Field in the Robert L. Shangraw Athletic Complex in Williamsport on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.

“Our kids always performed at a high rate and I’m so proud of them,” said Girardi. “Almost all my former players came back to see this thing and to me, that was just a great, great thing to have all these guys come back and tell stories.”

“Other people have helped us along the way, especially those players,” he added.

Along with coaching the program for 36 years of his life, he’s had four sons, a son-in-law, four grandkids and a grandson-in-law graduate from Lycoming, a testament to the family’s love and loyalty for the university. And with the way it handled this event today, it’s safe to say it goes both ways.

“This event was so well organized by the college, and it was an incredible day,” said Girardi. “It’s been a great honor.”

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Lycoming College cheerleaders line up during the dedication ceremony of the newly named Coach Frank Girardi Stadium at David Person Field in the Robert L. Shangraw Athletic Complex in Williamsport on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.