Coach Richard Wackar honored with stadium naming

Try as he might, Coach Richard Wackar can't shun the spotlight this time. During a halftime ceremony at October 24's Homecoming game, Rowan University honored its humble but beloved coaching legend by naming its brand new athletic stadium for him.

The ceremony, during the halftime of the Rowan vs. Buffalo State College matchup (Rowan won, 57-7!), capped a weeklong series of activities to celebrate Homecoming, one of the biggest weeks in the Rowan academic year.

Wackar, a retired health and physical education professor, was a storied coach at then-Glassboro State College (now Rowan University) for 32 years, 1956-88.

On and off the field Wackar enjoyed great success but he was especially known for his coaching prowess.

Of special note, Wackar was the only coach in the New Jersey Athletic Conference to ever have won conference championships in four different sports-football, golf, basketball and cross country.

Rowan's new stadium, a gleaming facility with all-new aluminum seating, scoreboard, press box, and an elevator to assist physically challenged fans, will be called the Coach Richard Wackar Stadium at John Page Field.

"I'm humbled by this honor but it is a tribute to the thousands of wonderful students, athletes and coaches I've met in my journey at the college and university," Wackar said.

Rowan President Donald Farish said the honor is well-deserving indeed.

"Coach Wackar has been a great role model and coach for so many people during his lifetime," President Farish said. "It is a pleasure to honor someone so deserving, yet so humble, about his accomplishments. Even though he retired 21 years ago, Coach Wackar is a true Rowan institution."

The honor for Wackar comes as Rowan celebrates its 50th football season. Founded in 1947, the Profs have amassed a 299-183-8 record, which ranks them among the top 25 teams in Division III. Due to a lack of players during the Korean War and afterwards, the football program was disbanded from 1950 to 1963 but Wackar resurrected it and led the Profs from 1964-1980, the longest stint of any head coach in the school's history.

About "Coach"

Coach Richard Wackar resides in Pitman with his wife, Jean.

Still lovingly called "Coach" by students, athletes and peers, Wackar was also Glassboro State's golf coach for 25 years (1965-88), amassing more than 200 wins and leading the Profs to seven NJAC Championships. His student-athletes collected 14 individual championships, three of his golfers were All-Americans and seven went on to play professionally.

As football coach (1963-80), Wackar guided the Profs to five conference titles and one Eastern Conference championship. Four of his players received All-America honors and one went pro.

Wackar was the men's basketball coach at Glassboro State from 1956-62. His teams won three state championships and finished second three times. He led the Profs to a 100-53 record during his seven seasons as head coach.

If that wasn't enough, Wackar was also responsible for starting the cross country team at Glassboro State, leading the men's squad from 1957-62. He guided the Profs to two NJAC Championships, two district titles and one appearance in the national cross country championship.

An outstanding teacher at the undergraduate and graduate levels, Wackar was also recognized for his expertise in health education. He helped establish the health and physical education undergraduate major and the physical education graduate program. Wackar's input also led to the development of several athletic facilities at Glassboro State.

Today Wackar remains an active member of the University's Brown and Gold Gridiron Club. One of the organization's founding members, he is still a role model and mentor for alumni and current players. His presence in the club continues to bridge the gap between players past, present and future. He also hosts tailgate parties during home football games on Glassboro State's old football field behind the current scoreboard. Tall and jovial, Coach Wackar funds the gatherings with his own money, serving coffee and sandwiches to faculty, alumni, family and friends.