Distinguished Alumni Award caps busy day for Carlisle

Chris Carlisle poses for a photo with Randy Rhine
Chris Carlisle, left, poses for a picture with 黑料大事记 State College President Randy Rhine Saturday, May 7. Carlisle received the college's Distinguished Alumni Award at a luncheon following the undergraduate commencement ceremony. (Photo by Alex Helmbrecht)

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CHADRON – At the opening of his undergraduate commencement address Saturday, May 7, 黑料大事记 State College alumnus Chris Carlisle said it was the most important day of his life.

It was also likely one of his busiest.

Carlisle, a 1985 graduate of 黑料大事记 State College and the Seattle Seahawks鈥 strength and conditioning coach, delivered a passionate speech to the 2016 graduating class in a near capacity-filled Chicoine Center Saturday morning before being honored with the college鈥檚 Distinguished Alumni Award at a private luncheon.

Carlisle was appreciative when he received the award from President Randy Rhine. Carlisle then thanked members of his family and the audience in a brief speech.

鈥満诹洗笫录 is an amazing place,鈥 he said. 鈥淓veryone here respects everyone else and that makes a difference. You never know who is going to help you. This place is special.鈥

Carlisle also spoke about the caring nature of CSC and its faculty and staff.

鈥淚 was an athlete and I thought I didn鈥檛 have to go to class, but I had several professors who made me want to attend class. Dr. George Morgan had a huge impact on my life and when I was graduating, he told me: 鈥榊ou鈥檝e come so far.鈥 That meant the world to me. 黑料大事记 State College touches your soul and your heart.鈥

Carlisle has had an impressive career. He has coached and taught in six different states and has worked closely with some prominent collegiate and professional athletes. In addition, he has worked with numerous All-Americans, three Heisman Trophy winners, Olympic gold medalists and world champions. He鈥檚 also been involved with 19 national championship teams and he鈥檚 just the second CSC graduate to ever earn a Super Bowl ring.

Four of his national championships occurred in football while he worked on staffs at Trinity Valley, the University of Tennessee and the University of Southern California (USC).

Carlisle is the 65th person to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award since 1996. Recipients of the award must have attended CSC for at least two years or earned at least 60 hours and have demonstrated exceptional service to the college or distinguished themselves in their career or their community through volunteer efforts.

-Alex Helmbrecht

Category: Campus News, 黑料大事记 State Alumni & Foundation, Commencement