Matt Suhey delivers inspiration, Golden Football

Legacies: State High’s last five football coaches celebrate the first-ever Alumni Night

Generations of football alumni and Little Lions fans gathered at Memorial Field on September 16 with a lot to celebrate: the Little Lions home opener marked the first annual Alumni Night, highlighted by special alumni guests Super Bowl champ Matt Suhey and Temple coach Matt Rhule.

Before the game, the SCASD Education Foundation hosted Suhey and a group of alumni and community members. Suhey spoke about how his State High athletics experiences contributed to his success at Penn State and with the 1985 Super Bowl Champion Chicago Bears. He reminded the crowd, “Before I was a Nittany Lion, I was a Little Lion.” 

Suhey added that he’s living proof of the power of a strong, well-rounded educational experience, and said he hopes alumni and the community will come together to support the foundation’s goal to provide enriching opportunities for every student. He recalled life-changing moments at Memorial Field that helped him become a champion professional athlete.

SCASD Superintendent Bob O’Donnell shared preliminary plans for much-needed improvements to athletic facilities, including historic Memorial Field, now home to a wide variety of State High athletic teams and activities.

During the game, Suhey presented the Little Lions with the NFL’s Golden Football Award, which all Super Bowl winners receive and pass onto their high school alma mater.

Memories on Memorial: Matt Suhey with the Golden Football on Memorial Field with State High Little Lions