Eagle Football Traditions

UNDEFEATED TEAMS:

1954~ 7-0

1967~ 8-0-1

1972~ 11-0

MILESTONE VICTORIES:

100th Program Win: Ashland 13 ~ Defiance 9 (1954)

200th Program Win: Ashland 14 ~ Waynesburg 0 (1972)

300th Program Win: Ashland 24 ~ Valpariaso 0 (1989)

400th Program Win: Ashland 24 ~ Mercyhurst 21 (2006)

EAGLE FOOTBALL ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICANS (FIRST TEAM SELECTIONS):

Mark Gulling - DB - 1973

Ron Brown - LB - 1974

Dan Bogden - TE - 1976

Bruce Niehm - LB - 1977

Mark Bruan - C - 1981

Tom Shiban - RB - 1991

Jerry Spatny - DL - 1993

Chad DeFranco - DB - 1996

NCAA POST-GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS:

Dan Bogden - 1978

Dave Biondo - 1988

Doug Powell - 1990

NCAA FIRST-TEAM ALL AMERICANS:

Len Pettigrew - 1970

Keith Dare - 1978

Jeff Penko - 1985

Vince Mazza - 1986

Doug Powell - 1989

Morris Furman - 1990

Ron Greer - 1991

Bill Royce - 1993

Sam Hohler - 1994

Toure Carter - 2003

1954, 1955, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965: Mid-Ohio Conference Champions.

1980, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986: Heartland Collegiate Conference Champions.

1997: Midwest Intercollegiate Conference Champions.

1986, 1997, 2007: NCAA Post-Season Playoffs.

Fred Martinelli: Inducted into College Football Hall-of-Fame Class of 2002 (217 wins, 119 losses, 12 ties - 1959-1993).

ANNUAL GRIDIRON CLUB KICKOFF LUNCHEON: An annual prelude to the Eagle Football season. This well-attended event provides alumni, students, parents and press with the opportunity to meet players and coaches while receiving a preview of the upcoming season.

MASCOT: "Tuffy" the Eagle, previously known as "Victor" the Eagle, has long been a fixture at Ashland home athletic events. Tuffy is a student dressed in a purple and gold Eagle mascot. Since the discontinuation of the Sigma Nu Fraternity on campus, the Athletic Department has assumed responsibility for the mascot. In 2002, the University's Alumni Association funded the purchase of a new Eagle costume.

FOOTBALL ALUMNI DAY: The inaugural Football Alumni Day was held on October 20, 2001. The Eagles responded with a 26-14 victory over Northern Michigan. Each year, more than 1,000 former Eagle players and coaches are invited back to take part in this festive event which is among the best attended university alumni programs.

THE VICTORY BELL: Prior to the start of the 1996 Eagle football season, a large cast-iron bell was donated to the University anonymously. After some discussion, the bell was mounted on a pole and placed near the north end zone at Community Stadium. Following an incident with players from Westminster College during the 1998 season, the bell was moved to the south end zone area where it remains today. Following each Eagle home victory, it is tradition that senior players take turns ringing the bell while the team sings the fight song.

THE TRAVELING TROPHY GAME: The battle of Ohio and Michigan in Division I play has long been the Ohio State/Michigan game. At the NCAA II level, it's the Ashland Eagles and the Hillsdale Chargers who battle annually for the Traveling Trophy. Established in 1970, the Traveling Trophy game is one of only a few NCAA-recognized trophy games. The winner of the game gets to keep the trophy at their institution until the following year.

THE HONORARY CAPTAINS PROGRAM: Established in 1997, the Honorary Captains Program was an idea borrowed from Ohio State. It is designed to connect current Eagle players with players from the past. Typically, two Eagle football alumni are invited back to campus for each home game to serve as Honorary Captains. They participate in all aspects of the pre-game program and have the opportunity to address the team on game day. They receive sideline passes, coaching shirts/hats and the opportunity to impact the lives of today's Eagles. A list of Honorary Captains and game results can be found in the lobby of the Physical Education Center on a special plaque donated by Ralph '77 and Betty Jo '78 Tomassi.

THE FIGHT SONG: Originally composed by Ashland football alumnus Ralph (Hank) Thauvette '30, the popular fight song was revised by Ashland Marching Band Director Len Salvo in 1989. It is played with pride by the Eagle Marching Band before, during and after every Eagle football game.

THE PURPLE AND GOLD SPRING GAME: The inaugural Purple and Gold spring game was held on April 16, 2004, at Community Stadium. Nearly 1,000 fans were in attendance. The spring game marks the conclusion of the spring football practice while providing Eagle fans with a live preview of the upcoming season.

FOOTBALL ALUMNI GOLF OUTING: Established in 1978, the annual golf outing and picnic has been a popular, well-attended event. The scramble golf format averages over 100 participants. A cookout with prizes and a preview of the upcoming season concludes the day.

RAGPICKER AWARD: This annual team award is presented to the outstanding scout-team player at the annual post-season football banquet. The award is given to a scout player on defense and offense. This award was established in 1959 by legendary Eagle football coach Fred Martinelli.

THE FRED MARTINELLI COACHES CLINIC: Established in 2004 in honor of the legendary Eagle Gridiron Coach, Fred Martinelli, the clinic has featured outstanding speakers and recognized accomplished high school coaches.