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Aug. 30, 2002--The University of Delaware celebrated Tubby Raymond Day with a special tribute to the legendary football coach during the 2002 season opener on Thursday evening, Aug. 29, at Delaware Stadium.
Completing the eventful night in style, the Fightin’ Blue Hens, under the direction of new head coach K.C. Keeler, defeated NCAA Division I-AA powerhouse Georgia Southern 22-19 before an electric crowd of 19,056.
Raymond retired in February, having compiled a career record of 300-118-3. He is one of just nine coaches in the history of college football to have won 300 games, and one of just four who accomplished that feat at one institution.
At halftime of Thursday’s game, with the Hens holding a 14-6 lead, the Delaware Stadium playing field was formally christened Tubby Raymond Field in his honor.
Before the game, Raymond was recognized during a reception at the home of UD President David P. Roselle, which featured performances by the UD Marching Band, the cheerleaders and mascot YoUDee. On hand to honor the coach were U.S. Sen. Joseph Biden and U.S. Rep. Michael Castle.
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| Coach Tubby Raymond with U.S. Rep. Michael Castle and U.S. Sen. Joseph Biden |
“Tonight is special,” Roselle said. “We are honoring Tubby for 36 years as head football coach, for 48 years as a UD employee and for 300 wins. But mostly, we’re honoring him because he’s Tubby and Tubby is a good guy.”
Roselle said a plaque noting Raymond’s achievements will be placed in permanent display in the Bob Carpenter Sports/Convocation Center.
Castle said he was “delighted to be here to pay homage to this gentleman” because Raymond has given the people of Delaware “a great deal of pride in our University and our state.” He presented Raymond with a flag that had flown over the Capitol, a notice from the Congressional Record and a letter of congratulations from President George W. Bush.
“You are the best this state has ever produced, and among the best the nation has ever produced,” Biden, a UD graduate who played very briefly under then-assistant coach Raymond, said.
Additional tributes were received from U.S. Sen. Thomas Carper, Delaware Gov. Ruth Ann Minner, the Delaware State Senate and the Delaware House of Representatives.
After the reception, Raymond met with former players in the Carpenter Club at the Bob Carpenter Sports/Convocation Center. Thirty-three of his 44 Blue Hen football captains were on hand, including Ed Sand, captain of Raymond’s first team in 1966, and Darrell Edmonds, captain of his final team in 2001.
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| During the halftime ceremony, UD President David Roselle congratulates Raymond, as UD trustee R.R. M. "Ruly" Carpenter III applauds. |
“As I look out and see all of the former players,” Raymond said, finishing with one of his famous one-liners, “I realize I must have been a heck of a coach to win with you guys!”
Raymond told the players he was “absolutely overwhelmed” and “humbled” by the events of the evening.
As the game was getting ready to begin, Raymond walked onto the field from the south end zone with Keeler, himself a former Hen who played linebacker on the last of Raymond’s three national championship teams in 1979.
The coaches stopped at the 50-yard line, where Raymond threw a football to Keeler in a symbolic changing of the guard as the fans provided a standing ovation.
Raymond was escorted to the playing field at Delaware Stadium during halftime by Roselle, Board of Trustees member R.R.M. “Ruly” Carpenter III and an honor guard of the captains from the UD football teams from 1966-2001 for a brief ceremony during which the field was officially named Tubby Raymond Field.
As the scoreboard flashed “Congrats Tubby!” and the faithful Hen fans cheered, wrapping was removed from the large scoreboard sign that now reads “Tubby Raymond Field.”
In addition, Roselle presented Raymond a bronzed football from his 300th victory, a 10-6 win over Richmond on Nov. 10, 2001.
After the game, Keeler said a victory over Georgia Southern was a great way to dedicate Tubby Raymond Field.
Story by Neil Thomas
Photos by Kathy Flickinger
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