Central Michigan University Athletics
CMU To Name Football Field In Honor Of Legends Kramer, Deromedi
8/29/2022 10:55:00 AM | Football
Dedication Scheduled For Chippewas' Sept. 10 Home Opener
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Central Michigan University will honor two of the giants of its storied football history by naming the field at Kelly/Shorts Stadium in their honor.
The playing surface at the stadium will be named Kramer/Deromedi Field, in recognition of legendary coaches Roy Kramer and Herb Deromedi.
"We are proud to honor the rich tradition and football history at CMU by dedicating this field to coach Roy Kramer and coach Herb Deromedi," said Amy Folan, CMU's Zyzelewski Family Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics. "The indelible imprint of these two legendary CMU leaders has benefited so many throughout the years and will continue to benefit future generations. It is befitting that this prominent space they helped build will carry their names."
Kramer, with Deromedi as his defensive coordinator, led the Chippewas to the Division II national championship in 1974. Statues of both men stand proudly outside the Chippewa Champions Center, located at the north end of Kelly/Shorts Stadium, and both are members of the Central Michigan University Marcy Weston Athletics Hall of Fame.
Kramer guided the Chippewas to an 83-32-2 record in his 11 seasons as head coach and in 1974 was named the Division II National Coach of the Year. Kramer went on to serve as the athletic director at Vanderbilt and later became the commissioner of the Southeastern Conference.
"I am honored and very humbled by this recognition of my days at Central Michigan University," said Kramer. "I am particularly honored to share this recognition with Herb Deromedi. However, this is really a celebration and recognition of the hundreds of young men who represented the pride and tradition of the Maroon and Gold of the Chippewas."
Deromedi joined Kramer's coaching staff as an assistant in 1967 and then succeeded his longtime mentor as the head coach in 1978.
He posted a remarkable 110-55-10 record over 16 seasons, leading the Chippewas to MAC titles in 1979, '80 and '90. He was twice named MAC Coach of the Year and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008. After hanging up his whistle, Deromedi served with distinction for 13 years as CMU's director of athletics and was a member of the College Football Playoff Committee from 2016-18.
"It is a tremendous honor, and very humbling, to be recognized alongside my mentor back then, and still now, Roy Kramer," said Deromedi. "I am so grateful for my time at Central Michigan and all of the men I was able coach and all of the people that have been so impactful in my life."
The official dedication is scheduled for Sept. 10 in a pregame ceremony before CMU plays host to South Alabama.
The naming of the field in honor of Kramer and Deromedi was the result of a $1 million fundraising effort supported by numerous CMU football alumni and friends of Kramer and Deromedi.
The playing surface at the stadium will be named Kramer/Deromedi Field, in recognition of legendary coaches Roy Kramer and Herb Deromedi.
"We are proud to honor the rich tradition and football history at CMU by dedicating this field to coach Roy Kramer and coach Herb Deromedi," said Amy Folan, CMU's Zyzelewski Family Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics. "The indelible imprint of these two legendary CMU leaders has benefited so many throughout the years and will continue to benefit future generations. It is befitting that this prominent space they helped build will carry their names."
Kramer, with Deromedi as his defensive coordinator, led the Chippewas to the Division II national championship in 1974. Statues of both men stand proudly outside the Chippewa Champions Center, located at the north end of Kelly/Shorts Stadium, and both are members of the Central Michigan University Marcy Weston Athletics Hall of Fame.
Kramer guided the Chippewas to an 83-32-2 record in his 11 seasons as head coach and in 1974 was named the Division II National Coach of the Year. Kramer went on to serve as the athletic director at Vanderbilt and later became the commissioner of the Southeastern Conference.
"I am honored and very humbled by this recognition of my days at Central Michigan University," said Kramer. "I am particularly honored to share this recognition with Herb Deromedi. However, this is really a celebration and recognition of the hundreds of young men who represented the pride and tradition of the Maroon and Gold of the Chippewas."
Deromedi joined Kramer's coaching staff as an assistant in 1967 and then succeeded his longtime mentor as the head coach in 1978.
He posted a remarkable 110-55-10 record over 16 seasons, leading the Chippewas to MAC titles in 1979, '80 and '90. He was twice named MAC Coach of the Year and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008. After hanging up his whistle, Deromedi served with distinction for 13 years as CMU's director of athletics and was a member of the College Football Playoff Committee from 2016-18.
"It is a tremendous honor, and very humbling, to be recognized alongside my mentor back then, and still now, Roy Kramer," said Deromedi. "I am so grateful for my time at Central Michigan and all of the men I was able coach and all of the people that have been so impactful in my life."
The official dedication is scheduled for Sept. 10 in a pregame ceremony before CMU plays host to South Alabama.
The naming of the field in honor of Kramer and Deromedi was the result of a $1 million fundraising effort supported by numerous CMU football alumni and friends of Kramer and Deromedi.
Jordan Kwiatkowski Post-Game Press Conference at BGSU
Sunday, October 19
Angel Flores Post-Game Press Conference at BGSU
Sunday, October 19
Michael Heldman Post-Game Press Conference at BGSU
Saturday, October 18
Joe Labas Post-Game Press Conference at BGSU
Saturday, October 18