By John Cogar (1971 University of Rochester Graduate)

INTRODUCTION: This is the first of a new series that will appear periodically throughout the academic year on the website for a variety of sports. It is titled "I Remember…". Alumni have been asked to write brief articles about their athletic experiences while they were undergraduates. The articles could cover one specific game, a particular play, or a longer period. Our inaugural story is provided by John Cogar '71. He is writing about the arrival of Peter "Pat" Stark in late 1968 as the head football coach at the University.

In December of 1968 it was announced that we were going to have a new Head Football Coach. The word spread fast that this individual, Pat Stark, had a long list of impressive credentials (All-America quarterback at Syracuse, Assistant coach at Syracuse for the 1959 National Champions, and most recently the offensive coach for Harvard responsible for all the play calling in the final 2 minutes of the famous comeback to tie Yale). The Rochester football players were all excited and truly inspired to have this talented coach as our new leader.
 
That Spring and Summer Coach Stark was very outgoing and extremely friendly to all the players. And typical of youth, it was tempting to think his success would somehow rub off on us, and our road ahead would be a pleasant pain-free one. We were disabused of this notion quickly; myself especially. Our very first day of pre-season in August was a Sunday and we all congregated for lunch. It was quite a friendly social gathering. Coach announced that double sessions would start the following day, but that afternoon at 3:00 we were to be on the field in our game uniforms for pictures. Everything seemed so laid back and friendly at this point.
 
Brian Miga and I were both quite certain to be the starting offensive halfbacks and we were engrossed in friendly chatter in the locker room getting ready for "picture day". After the locker room was mostly emptied out at a few minutes before 3:00, we were still talking and fixing our uniforms. At that point one of us said it was probably time to get moving. The other one said,"Yes, but it's just pictures".  As we left the locker room and walked towards the football field we noticed the entire team in a perfect semi-circle on one knee facing the Coach. Brian and I both had an immediate sick feeling in our stomach, and broke into a quick jog towards the team. TOO LATE !! 
 
Coach Stark's face was beet red and he started screaming at us non-stop. I couldn't believe it when he said in a loud voice " I suppose you just think it is picture day !!!"  He went on for ten minutes berating us and using us as an example for what was wrong with the Rochester Football teams of the past. He made us run laps in our game uniforms, and Brian and I were the only pictures drenched in sweat. He made an example of us and we both knew we deserved everything he threw at us. Most importantly, the entire team took note, that if we were going to be successful, EVERYONE had to be punctual and pay attention and execute all details to perfection. Yes, even picture day.
 
And this set the foundation to the next story that first year. Our record was 3-1 (having just narrowly lost to a powerful Mt. Union team), when Amherst College came to Fauver Stadium, with a 17-game winning streak. They had two players on that team that would have Super Bowl rings in a few years. Needless to say it was a big game. We won that game and we all believed it was because of superior coaching. It was the discipline he instilled in us from the first day of practice, but also his winning attitude that truly rubbed off on all of us. We were 6-3 his first year and we were 8-1 the following year. It is no coincidence that so many of those players have returned to Rochester each April to celebrate Coach Stark's birthday. He was our coach, mentor, and loyal friend. We are all so grateful that the University of Rochester chose Pat Stark to be the Head Football Coach in December of 1968.
 
(ABOUT THE AUTHOR: John Cogar '71 was a two-sport letterman as an undergraduate. He was the fullback, then the halfback on the gridiron. In the final game of his junior year, he broke Rochester records for most rushing attempts (43) and net yards gained (226) in a game (a 32-0 victory at Fauver Stadium over Allegheny College). At the Eastern College United States Championships in 1970, Cogar ran on the 440 yard relay team that established a record time for the event which still stands. He was inducted into the University's Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996.)

NOTE: Peter 'Pat' Stark passed away on June 19, 2020 at the age of 90. A number of his former players provided their thoughts about his legacy in an article published here.