PHOTO GALLERY / COACH HAMELINE TRIBUTE VIDEO

Picture Above: Staten Island Deputy Borough President Edward Burke (right) delivering a proclamation, announcing June 4, 2015 as "Walt Hameline Day." (Photo by Mike McLaughlin)

Staten Island, NY - On Thursday, June 4, 2015, Wagner College honored long-time head football coach and athletic director Walt Hameline with a tribute dinner in honor of his 34-year Seahawk head coaching career, with all proceeds benefitting the Wagner College Stadium Expansion Project.

This event also kicked off Reunion Weekend, which includes the annual Joe Jilts Memorial Golf Outing, in honor of Wagner's beloved longtime football equipment manager. This year's Joe Jilts outing was held on Friday, June 5 at the La Tourette Golf Course here on Staten Island.
 
"Wagner College has been my life – my second family," said Hameline. "The number of people I've met and the many relationships that we've formed has been unbelievable. I'm so fortunate to have had so much great support over all of these years. I've always believed that you're only as good as the people around you. When you love what you do, and you have so much great support, it's easy to get out of bed and come here be a part of so many great things and the joy of it all."
 
Following opening remarks from Dr. Richard Guarasci, Wagner College President, and Dr. Warren Procci, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Staten Island Deputy Borough President Edward Burke delivered a proclamation, announcing June 4, 2015 as "Walt Hameline Day."
 
More than 300 guests attended the dinner, which was emceed by former Wagner head basketball coach Tim Capstraw ('82, current Brooklyn Nets' announcer), and included a roast. The roastmasters included former New York Giant quarterback Phil Simms (current CBS analyst), former Wagner head men's basketball coach Dereck Whittenburg, former Seahawk football player and assistant coach Tom Masella ('81, Current UMass defensive coordinator), and captain of the 1987 National Championship Team Rich Negrin ('88, current city of Philadelphia Deputy Mayor for Administration & Coordination and Managing Director).

Having served in the dual capacity of head football coach and athletic director since 1981, Hameline announced in November that he was stepping down as head football coach while continuing as athletic director.

Hameline's career coaching highlights include leading the Seahawks to the 1987 Division III National Championship, two Northeast Conference (NEC) titles and five ECAC Championships. On November 24, 2012, Wagner became the first NEC team to ever win a game in the FCS Playoffs when the Green & White defeated Patriot League Champion Colgate, 31-24.

The 2014 campaign marked the 24th winning season that the Green & White have enjoyed under Hameline. All told, Hameline, who coached more than 100 All-Americans and nearly 100 All-NEC players during his tenure, guided Wagner to 28 seasons with .500 or better records, while amassing an all-time record of 223-139-2 (.615). At the conclusion of the 2014 season, those 223 victories ranked fifth among active head Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) head coaches.

In a career spanning four decades, Hameline has mentored a wealth of assistant coaches who later went on to make their own marks in the coaching profession, including Dan Mullen, head coach of 2015 Orange Bowl participant Mississippi St., Patrick Graham, linebackers coach for the Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots, Andrew Dees, assistant offensive line coach for the San Diego Chargers, and Lou Anarumo, defensive backs coach for the Miami Dolphins. In addition to Mullen, there are four other current college head coaches and 45 assistants who worked under Hameline on the Wagner sidelines that remain in the profession.

Through the years, a host of student-athletes recruited and coached by Hameline have gone onto professional playing careers. Currently, Julian Stanford and Dominique Williams are members of the NFL's Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings, respectively, while C.O. Prime plays for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL.

"Walt Hameline represents the best of what Wagner is all about - high achievement, integrity and hard work," said Guarasci. "He has been an excellent teacher, mentor and leader, and one of the truly great influences on the development and history of Wagner College. Walt is a Wagner treasure and I am elated that he is continuing as athletics director to leave his indelible mark of character and commitment on this special place."

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Walt's Thank You: Courtesy of Facebook