Farewell To An Icon
Today will be the last time Athletics Director Herb Deromedi will walk into his office in Rose Arena.
Why it matters
Deromedi has served CMU Athletics for the last 39 years.
It will be last time he sits at his deck and checks his messages.
And it will be the last working day for a CMU icon and legend.
A native of Royal Oak, Deromedi has been bleeding maroon and gold since 1967. He was an assistant coach under Roy Kramer and helped lead the Chippewas to a Division II national championship in 1974 – the only national title in program history.
A fierce competitor, Deromedi is the Mid-American Conference’s all-time winningest football coach and holds the record for overall and conference wins.
Deromedi took over as AD in 1994 and was instrumental in the expansion of Kelly/Shorts Stadium and the construction of the Indoor Athletic Complex. He also saw the construction of new venues for the baseball, track and field, soccer, field hockey and indoor track.
But Deromedi has anticipated his leaving, as he announced his retirement in August.
“I’m very comfortable with the fact that knowing (today) is my last day. It’s not like it’s something that is sudden,” he said. “I’m comforted with knowing it’s time to pass the torch.”
Deromedi plans to spend time with his family and travel with his wife, Marilyn. Also in the works for Deromedi is visiting college football coaching staffs around the country “to be updated with what that best techniques are.”
A return to football could be in the future for Deromedi.
However, he said he was not ready to make a statement about it one way or the other.
When the lights are turned off and Deromedi closes the door to his office, an era in CMU athletics will come to a close.
“I’ve always said its been a privilege to represent an outstanding university,” he said.
So long Coach Deromedi. Thanks for the memories. It has been a privilege.
