LU to Retire Jerseys for Rutigliano and Green
10/10/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Two of the most recognizable names in the history of the Flames football program are going to receive an honor only one other has previously received. During Liberty's upcoming Homecoming Weekend, the Flames are going to retire jerseys for former head coach Sam Rutigliano and Liberty and NFL standout Eric Green.
Two years ago, Liberty retired its first football jersey in honor of founder and former chancellor Dr. Jerry Falwell. Liberty's No. 1 fan since opening the University in 1971, Falwell was ceremonially honored during Liberty's Homecoming match-up with William & Mary on Oct. 14, 2006, as a No. 71 jersey was hung just over his press box suite.
Rutigliano and Green will join Falwell in the elite group of honorees. An "HC" jersey will be hung in honor of Rutigliano, while a No. 86 jersey will rest next to Rutigliano's paying tribute to Green's storied career at Liberty.
Rutigliano, the winningest coach in the program's history, guided Liberty for 11 years (1989-99). He posted a 67-53 record during his 11-year tenure and his teams were consistently ranked in the Top 20 of many NCAA I-AA football polls.
The program's highest ranking was No. 8 in 1990, as the Flames started the season, 4-0. In 1997, he guided the program to a tie for the most wins in school history with a 9-2 mark, which included victories over No. 19 Caly Poly and No. 15 Appalachian State.
Under Rutigliano, Green put up unprecedented numbers during his season year. The tight end polished off a stellar career at Liberty by catching 62 passes for 905 yards and a program single-season record 10 touchdowns in 1989.
The Savannah, Ga., native completed his days in a Liberty uniform with 99 receptions for 1,442 yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging 14.6 yards per catch. The most memorable of those 99 receptions came against Eastern Michigan, when Green finished with 10 catches for 123 yards and the game-winning reception duirng Liberty's upset over Eastern Michigan.
Green earned Associated Press second-team All-America honors in 1989, before becoming Liberty's only first-round NFL Draft selection, when the Pittsburgh Steelers took the tight end with the 21st-overall pick.
Green went on to have a storied 10-year NFL career, finishing his decade of professional football by catching 362 passes for 4,390 yards and 36 touchdowns. During his first year with the Steelers, he caught the eye of the nation by pulling in 34 passes for 387 yards and seven scores, helping him earn AFC Rookie of the Year honors. Green was also named to the NFL Pro Bowl in 1994.
United again, the pair of Liberty legends, who helped put the Flames football program on the national map, will be honored during a special halftime presentation on Oct. 25, when the Flames host Big South foe Charleston Southern.
Two years ago, Liberty retired its first football jersey in honor of founder and former chancellor Dr. Jerry Falwell. Liberty's No. 1 fan since opening the University in 1971, Falwell was ceremonially honored during Liberty's Homecoming match-up with William & Mary on Oct. 14, 2006, as a No. 71 jersey was hung just over his press box suite.
Rutigliano and Green will join Falwell in the elite group of honorees. An "HC" jersey will be hung in honor of Rutigliano, while a No. 86 jersey will rest next to Rutigliano's paying tribute to Green's storied career at Liberty.
Rutigliano, the winningest coach in the program's history, guided Liberty for 11 years (1989-99). He posted a 67-53 record during his 11-year tenure and his teams were consistently ranked in the Top 20 of many NCAA I-AA football polls.
The program's highest ranking was No. 8 in 1990, as the Flames started the season, 4-0. In 1997, he guided the program to a tie for the most wins in school history with a 9-2 mark, which included victories over No. 19 Caly Poly and No. 15 Appalachian State.
Under Rutigliano, Green put up unprecedented numbers during his season year. The tight end polished off a stellar career at Liberty by catching 62 passes for 905 yards and a program single-season record 10 touchdowns in 1989.
The Savannah, Ga., native completed his days in a Liberty uniform with 99 receptions for 1,442 yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging 14.6 yards per catch. The most memorable of those 99 receptions came against Eastern Michigan, when Green finished with 10 catches for 123 yards and the game-winning reception duirng Liberty's upset over Eastern Michigan.
Green earned Associated Press second-team All-America honors in 1989, before becoming Liberty's only first-round NFL Draft selection, when the Pittsburgh Steelers took the tight end with the 21st-overall pick.
Green went on to have a storied 10-year NFL career, finishing his decade of professional football by catching 362 passes for 4,390 yards and 36 touchdowns. During his first year with the Steelers, he caught the eye of the nation by pulling in 34 passes for 387 yards and seven scores, helping him earn AFC Rookie of the Year honors. Green was also named to the NFL Pro Bowl in 1994.
United again, the pair of Liberty legends, who helped put the Flames football program on the national map, will be honored during a special halftime presentation on Oct. 25, when the Flames host Big South foe Charleston Southern.
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