That’s what life’s about’: Wiser honored in Lyco’s home opener, expresses gratitude towards community
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Over the offseason, Lycoming College renovated its football locker room, ultimately choosing to name it in honor of longtime defensive coordinator Steve Wiser. On Saturday afternoon ahead of Lycoming's home opener against Widener, the dedication was made official.
Reminiscent of legendary coach Frank Girardi's honoring at last year's home opener, many of the players and individuals directly or indirectly impacted by Wiser gathered to celebrate the honor with him. Even with preceding rain dampening the bleachers at Girardi Stadium, attendance surpassed 1000.
“I think the turn out here today shows you what people really think about him," said Lycoming head coach Mike Clark when discussing the crowd. "It's very rare in life that people name things after you while you're still working. I think that just speaks volumes about who Steve is as a person and as a coach."
Lycoming executive vice president Chip Edmonds kicked off the pregame dedication with a three-minute speech, followed by a video highlighting Wiser’s history with the program, a speech from Clark and the official dedication from Lycoming president Kent Trachte.
"For a day or two after I got hired in 2008, I thought he would stop coaching. To his everlasting credit, he didn't," said Clark during the video. "He smoothed the transition for me, and we won a MAC title together in that first year."
"Our renovated football locker room is outstanding, among the best in small college football. And that's fitting because Steve is among the best to have ever done it," he added during his speech.
Wiser was the last to take the podium, choosing to save his written speech for the postgame celebration but still taking plenty of time to thank the alumni that decided to attend and/or donate to the renovation.
When his speech wrapped up, he was met with a 'We love you, Wise!’ and considerable applause.
"To see some of the people back from the 60s, the 70s, the 80s, every decade, I looked through the list the other day and got a little emotional. To see guys come back as recently as the grads last year, that's wealth. That's what's important," said Wiser during his speech. "I've got so many people to be thankful for."
Entering Year 51 with the program, Wiser still carries the same passion and drive to win that he harbored in his earlier years with the team. That was represented in him reserving his written speech for after the game, as he wanted to give his players more time to focus on the task at hand.
"I'm going to be honest with you. My focus and what is important right now is what's standing behind me," said Wiser, gesturing to his team standing behind him and being met with cheers from the crowd. "I'm excited to see them perform and happy that their parents are here to see them perform. We're looking for great things in 2024."
They were certainly focused when it came time to play, as his unit played with urgency for four full quarters and ultimately played a huge role in the team's 48-12 win. It was the cherry on top of an overall exciting day for Wiser, the team and community as a whole.
"It's really nice to see the team come together and get a win on such a special day for Coach Wise," expressed wide receiver Karson Kline.
Following the game, Wiser gave his written speech, expressing further gratitude to the college and community and telling stories about how he ended up at Lycoming.
He'd spend the rest of the celebration interacting with and sharing laughs with those that have supported him, taking pictures with his loved ones and both the head coaches - Frank Girardi and Mike Clark - he’s coached alongside through the decades. It was an event that not only represented how much the community appreciates him, but how much he appreciates it right back.
"God is good. He's been great to me and blessed me with so many good people. I've had a great community help me be successful in life. The relationships that I've been able to get from teaching, coaching, fundraising and being in the community are just outstanding," expressed Wiser at the postgame celebration.
"I've worked for two great coaches. Girardi, he's a Hall of Famer and he's like my second dad, and Clark, he's been very good to me, a big push behind this project and very trusting. You're not going to get rich coaching or teaching, but you know what? You're rich in relationships. That's what life's all about."