[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 68 (Thursday, May 23, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S4834]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TUBBY RAYMOND FIELD

 Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, late last year, I offered a tribute 
to the legendary University of Delaware football coach, Harold 
``Tubby'' Raymond, on the occasion of his 300th career victory. A few 
short months later, after 36 years as head football coach and a total 
of 48 years at Delaware, Coach Raymond decided to retire. And now, with 
a vote by the Board of Trustees this Tuesday, May 21st, the University 
has decided to designate the football field as ``Tubby Raymond Field.''
  Like many Delawareans, present and relocated, I welcomed the 
University's decision with enthusiasm. I am a graduate of the 
University of Delaware. For a while, Tubby was my backfield coach, and 
I am one of many great fans and proud friends of Tubby Raymond. He 
deserves this honor; as his successor K.C. Keeler, who also played for 
Tubby--played more and played better, I might add--said, while looking 
over the Delaware football field, ``the man built this place.''
  I will resist the temptation to recount again the remarkable success 
of University of Delaware football teams under Tubby Raymond, who ended 
his head coaching career with a record of 300-119-3, a winning 
percentage of .714.
  But I would like to share a comment Tubby made, in response to a 
question he has been asked countless times in the course of his storied 
career. He was asked if he regretted not moving to coach on Sunday or 
at a bigger school, a I-A program, like his alma mater, the University 
of Michigan. Tubby said that he always had everything he wanted at 
Delaware, adding, ``I'm just as proud of the players who have gone on 
to be successful in business and other careers, as I am of those who 
have gone to the NFL.''
  As a coach, Tubby Raymond has been a dedicated and very successful 
teacher, and the fact that he will be the speaker at this Saturday's 
commencement ceremony reflects the respect he has earned in the 
University community, well beyond the Athletic Department.
  Tubby hasn't been able to leave the coaching completely behind, 
however; as he watched them setting up chairs on the football field for 
graduation, he shook his head with a slight wince, and said, ``They're 
going to kill some grass.''
  The grass will grow back, and Tubby Raymond Field will be in good 
shape for the opening game on August 29th, when the name will become 
official. For the first time that many Delawareans can remember, Tubby 
will not be the coach. He will be the guest of honor, and it is Tubby 
Raymond who has honored us by his dedication as a coach and a teacher, 
his loyalty to the University of Delaware, his leadership in our 
State--and for those of us who are really lucky, the blessing of his 
friendship.

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