GREENVILLE, Pa. (July 18) -- The Thiel College Department of Athletics is proud to announce the upcoming celebration honoring the 20-year anniversary of the legendary 2005 Thiel football team on Saturday, Oct. 11, during the Tomcats' clash with conference foe Geneva at noon from Alumni Stadium. The event will pay tribute to one of the most iconic seasons in school history and the players, coaches and fans who helped make it unforgettable.
The celebration will include a day full of events, recognition and commemoration. The highlight of the celebration will be a special halftime ceremony where members of the 2005 team will be honored on the field.
Led by Head Coach Jack Leipheimer '74, the 2005 Tomcats produced the most successful season in team history as they produced a 10-0 (6-0) regular season in route to capturing the programs third ever Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) Championship and earning the programs first ever berth in the NCAA Division III Playoffs. The Blue and Gold rolled past Johns Hopkins 28-3 in the opening round of the playoffs at home before falling to Bridgewater 24-13 in the second round.
The 2005 squad finished the season ranked No. 15 by Don Hansen's Football Gazette's Top 40, No. 16 by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Coaches' Poll and No. 17 by D3football.com's Top 25. They set program records in wins (11), PAC wins (six), home victories (six) and consecutive wins to start a season (11).
"The 2005 team not only brought a PAC championship and national recognition to Thiel, but they brought pride, unity and excitement to our campus," Isaac Collins, Director of Athletics, said. "We're thrilled to welcome them back and celebrate the legacy they've left behind."
Inducted into the Thiel Athletics Hall of Fame in 2021, the '05 team was captained by seniors Darrell Satterfield (quarterback) and Tom Wozniak (linebacker).
Additional details regarding the 20-year anniversary celebration will be released at a later date.
For more information, please contact Collins by email at icollins@thiel.edu or Devin Weisbarth, Assistant Director of Athletics - Internal Operations, at dweisbarth@thiel.edu.
