Dr. Gene Carpenter Named to College Football Hall of Fame
Story Courtesy of Millersville Sports Information
South Bend, Ind. - For more than 30 years, Dr. Gene Carpenter established a legacy of excellence in Millersville University football. His 220-90-6 career record placed him among the nation's elite coaches. On Tuesday, the National Football Foundation (NFF) added the late Coach Carpenter to its most elite group, inducting him into the College Football Hall of Fame 2012 Divisional Class.
"He always said he got paid to do something he loved," said Carpenter's wife Sandra. "He always thanked his family, which he loved, his outstanding coaching staff, and the young men that played for him. He was so proud of what they accomplished on and off the field."
The Divisional College Football Hall of Fame considers players and coaches from NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Division II, Division III and NAIA. The 2012 class includes Carpenter, coaches William "Lone Star" Dietz and Ron Harms, and players Chris Bisaillon (Illinois Wesleyan), Jim Holder (Oklahoma Panhandle State), Richard McGeorge (Elon) and Rex Mirich (Northern Arizona). The class will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame during the Enshrinement Festival in South Bend, Ind., on July 20-21.
"The special thing about Coach was that he cared about his players after they graduated, your significant others, your kids," said Millersville offensive coordinator Brad Mangle, who played for Carpenter from 1977-80 and coached under him from 1985-2000. "He was a family man, and that's what he wanted for everyone. Playing for him and coaching with him, it was like working with your father. Nowadays, people like that, that are so engrained in your life, are becoming few and far between. He treated everyone like that. (His enshrinement) is special for the starters, the back-ups, the full-time coaches and the part-time coaches. He was always in your corner."
After one season at Adams State, Carpenter arrived at Millersville and from 1970-2000 he recorded 29 winning seasons and 10 PSAC Eastern Division titles. In 1988, the Marauders were named ECAC Division II Team of the Year and winners of the Lambert-Meadowlands Cup. Twice he was named PSAC Coach of the Year and 49 players were recognized as All-Americans during his tenure. His 220 total wins ranks 29th in among coaches in NCAA history. He is one of only 29 coaches in the history of college football to win 200 or more games at one college.
Carpenter also served in the U.S. Marine Corps and worked closely with the Maxwell Footbal Club Association and the American Football Coaches Council. He is also a member of the Millersville University Athletic Hall of Fame and the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.
Carpenter passed away on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009 at the age of 70.
The NFF started its Divisional Hall of Fame program in 1996. A total of 137 players and coaches have been inducted from the divisional ranks, including Terry Bradshaw, Walter Payton, John Randle, Jerry Rice and coach Eddie Robinson. Only 918 players and 200 coaches belong to the College Football Hall of Fame. From the nearly 5 million who have played or coached the game over the past 143 years, only two one-hundreths of one percent have been deemed worthy for hall of fame distinction.
For a complete schedule of events and to purchase tickets for the 2012 Enshrinement Festival, click here.