Central Michigan University Athletics
Deromedi Tributes: First Installment
8/26/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Central Michigan University will be honoring former football coach Herb Deromedi this Thursday, Aug. 28, when the Chippewas host Eastern Illinois. Deromedi was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame this past year. To help pay tribute to the former coach, fans and former players were asked to submit short essays on their favorite Coach Deromedi memory or on the topic of what he means to CMU. Following is the first installment of essays. Additional installments will be posted throughout the week.
Greg Kigar, Class of ’87
Gladwin, Mich.
I didn’t play for you but know many players who did! You brought nothing but class to the football field, athletic department and our school. You did things the right way and national recognition has finally followed. Thank you!
Dave Maine, Class of ’80
Saginaw, Mich.
1976 -1979
He is Central Michigan football for me. His length of service as assistant coach, head coach and then AD. Everything he did was done with putting the university, his coaches and players first, and everything else second, except his wife. My favorite memory is the pregame of his first game as a head coach. He was a little nervous but by game time he had settled down and led us to a victory.
Brandon Bruce, Class of ’95
Arnold, Mich.
1990-1994
Some of the best memories that I have of Coach D are the locker room celebrations after the game when he would stand in front of the team after a victory and get three cheers for the stars of the game. Coach D would highlight their accomplishment and shout: “Three cheers for the Defense...Hip Hip” and everyone else would respond “Hooray.” It was always so exciting and full of energy, I get chills thinking about it.
Tim Granger, Class of ’74
Haslett, Mich.
My favorite memory of Herb was during his last year as AD when I was part of a group of supporters that met with him prior to that year’s spring game. I grew up not far from Byron, Mich., where Herb had his first coaching job. After the meeting Herb talked with me and my wife about attending a new football field dedication at Byron the Friday night before the first MSU game. At first he was reluctant to attend because CMU had such a big game the next day, but he and his wife decided to go. He said that the experience gave him a sense of being “grounded” and that he felt that emotion carried over to the MSU game for him and that the team picked up on it. It seems little Ol’ Byron High had a part in the big CMU victory that took place that day.
Erik Timpf, Class of ’95
Lake Orion, Mich.
1990-95
Coach D is one of the top reasons that I chose to play at CMU. When you have a leader who cares as much about his people as Coach D does it becomes magnetic and draws you in. He was never a “pedestal” coach. He was always down there with us encouraging us on. What I remember most is the joy and excitement he felt after a win. Those times in the locker room were priceless. Thank you Coach D for all you’ve done!
Bob DeMarco
Monroe, Mich.
1980-1984
My favorite memory was watching Coach Deromedi standing at the fifty yard line with Arkansas State Coach Larry Lacewell and trying to determine who was “shorter.” Then, Coach Peddie came up to me, pointed to midfield and said “See that? I thought I’d NEVER, EVER see a coach shorter then Herb. Can you believe it?.” True story.
Doug Adler, Class of ’92
Grand Ledge, Mich.
1987-91
My best memories are actually lessons. Clearly Coach D was a great coach; however, to me his greatest attribute was his leadership off of the field. On more than one occasion during off-field conversations, where he wasn’t your coach but an advisor/friend, I recognized through his input and actions what it meant to be successful in life. Thanks Coach!
Charlie Markey, Class of ’74
Saginaw, Mich.
1969-1973
Look in the dictionary under CMU Football. Coach Deromedi’s picture is there! He guided CMU football and its other athletic programs as they entered the MAC and was the emblem for our team’s pride and determination. What a feeling we all had while we were seated in the stands at MSU and while winning against mighty MAC opponents. Coach Deromedi also initiated campus wide building and program upgrades in all aspects of both men and women’s athletics. He was always available to talk with me and all of our football family. Personally, I want to congratulate him as well as thank him for keeping me involved and proud of being a Chippewa and football letterman!
Matt Coffey, Class of ’85
Saginaw, Mich.
1981-84
Coach Deromedi is and always will be the single most influential person to be associated with CMU football. Think about it, when he started at CMU we were a Division II school. By the end of his tenure we defeated the likes of East Carolina and Michigan State. Herb is also, simply, and probably more importantly, a good man. Before one game my senior year it was parents day. My father had passed away before I was 14. I didn’t even think Coach D new about his death since it happened so many years before my career at CMU. Just before we went out to do battle he grabbed me by the arm, tears in his eyes, and told me not to feel bad about my dad not being here to watch because he was watching from heaven. I can’t tell you how much that meant to me and the memory of that kindness will stay with me forever.
Chuck Selinger, Class of ’94
Ceresco, Mich.
1990-1993
1991 - Spartan locker room - “MSU did not recruit any of you, you are not good enough to play in Spartan Stadium. Go show them what you can do and leave it on the field with a victory.” Motivating words - Final score: CMU 20, MSU 3
Bubba Hester, Class of ’97
Forney, Ala.
1992-1996
Coach Deromedi means a whole heck of a lot to CMU. Not only was Coach Deromedi a great football coach, he has a strong passion for the game. You just simply wanted to give him 100 percent. My favorite memory will probably be the Sunday morning on a cold January day when I was on campus for my visit and he offered me a full football scholarship. He took a chance on this country boy from Alabama. I took the opportunity and went on to have a great career and earn a business degree. There is not a day that goes by in my life where I don’t reflect on my days at CMU and the great people I was able to be around along the way.
