GLASSBORO, NJ – The Rowan University football program will celebrate its 50th season in 2009.

Football began at the University in 1947 and since then the Profs have compiled a 298-182-8 record. Rowan’s .619 winning percentage ranks among the top 25 teams in Division III. Rowan has won the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championship 16 times, 14 outright and two shared, since the conference started in 1969. The Profs captured the conference title in 1972, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1983, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Rowan has appeared in the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament 13 times. The Profs reached the championship game, the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl, five times (1993, 1995, 1996, 1998 and 1999). Rowan advanced to the national semifinals in 1992, 1997, 2001, 2004 and 2005.

Glen Frey was the Profs’ first coach, starting the program in 1947. He only coached for one season posting a 1-3 record. From 1948-50, Nelio Dallolio led what was then New Jersey State Teachers College at Glassboro. During his three years at the helm, Dallolio compiled a 12-6-1 mark. The football program was discontinued following the 1950 season because there were not enough men to field a team due to the start of the Korean War. In 1958, the school’s name was changed to Glassboro State College.

In 1963, Richard Wackar brought football back to the College. Glassboro State competed with a junior varsity team in 1963, returning to varsity status a year later. Wackar coached the Profs from 1964-1980. He guided Glassboro State to a 65-84-4 record over his 17 seasons. During that time, the Profs won five conference championships, four outright and one shared. Ted Kershner took over for Wackar in 1981. He spent seven seasons (1981-87) on the sidelines, tallying a 35-34 mark. Glassboro State shared the NJAC Championship in 1983.

John Bunting became the head coach in 1988. He registered a 38-14-2 record over five seasons (1988-92). Bunting led the Profs to back-to-back conference titles and appearances in the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament in 1991 and 1992. Rowan advanced to the national semifinals in 1992. Earlier that year, the school changed its name from Glassboro State College to Rowan College, it later achieved University status in 1997.

K.C. Keeler replaced Bunting in 1993. In nine seasons (1993-2001), Keeler guided the Profs to four NJAC Championships and seven trips to the national tournament. All five of Rowan’s appearances in the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl came under Keeler. The Profs also reached the semifinals twice during that time. Keeler finished his career at Rowan with an 88-21-1 mark, making him the winningest coach in school history with an .805 winning percentage.

In 2002, Jay Accorsi was hired as the seventh head coach at the University. Since that time, he has compiled a 59-20 record for a .747 winning percentage. Accorsi has led the Profs to four NJAC titles and four appearances in the national tournament. He guided Rowan to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament semifinals in 2004 and 2005.

Rowan opens the 2009 campaign at non-conference opponent Lycoming College on Saturday, September 13 at 1:30 p.m. The Profs’ first home game is Saturday, October 3 against The College at Brockport at noon. The complete football schedule is available at www.rowanathletics.com.