SLIPPERY ROCK — This wasn't about saluting a football team.

This was about ushering out greatness.

Slippery Rock University football said goodbye to its most decorated senior class ever and one of the most successful coaches in PSAC history Saturday at its annual banquet held at the Robert M. Smith Student Center.

“This brotherhood has established a dynasty,” George Mihalik said while performing his last official function as SRU head football coach. “Champions of the PSAC West four of the last five years, playing in the PSAC championship game each of the past three years ... That's a dynasty.”

SRU celebrated a 12-2 season — tying the 1998 team for most wins in a year in Rock history — that resulted in a second successive PSAC title and two NCAA Division II playoff victories.

“A diploma in one hand, championship rings on their fingers — that says it all about Rock foootball,” Mihalik said. “Some of these guys are leaving here with four rings.”

All 20 seniors had an opportunity to speak at the banquet, including team captains Brett Crenshaw, Mike Grata and Cory Tucker.

“Coach Mihalik gave me an opportunity,” Crenshaw said. “I wasn't even planning on going to school. All I needed was one shot. He showed me that.”

Grata, a linebacker, is returning to the program next year as a coach.

“Our offensive coaches pushed our defensive coaches, who pushed us,” Grata said. “No other school even recruited me out of high school. Coach Mihalik gave me an invitation to come here.

“Without him, none of this is even possible for me.”

Tucker started every game of his collegiate career at tackle and is pursuing getting a chance in an NFL camp this spring.

“No other Division II school gave me a chance to play,” Tucker said. “Slippery Rock showed me that I could be something.”

The 2015 SRU football team wound up ranked among the top 10 in three final national polls. Eight offensive and seven defensive team records were broken.

SRU ranked first in all of Division II with 45.2 points per game, 351 first downs, 47 takeaways, eight defensive touchdowns and 23 fumble recoveries.

“Seeing so many team records fall on offense and defense shows just how balanced this team was,” longtime assistant and new SRU head coach Shawn Lutz said.

“These are the best of times,” SRU president Cheryl Norton said. “This team took on a challenge, a dream, a vision ... They set a bench-mark for other teams to come.

“I have to thank the father of this band of brothers, the leader of Slippery Rock football, our coach, George Mihalik.”

Numerous individual awards were presented. Running back Shamar Greene, who rushed for 1,545 yards and will likely break The Rock's career rushing record in the 2016 season opener, was voted offensive MVP.

Defensive end Marcus Martin, who has 31.5 quarterback sacks in two seasons and needs 23 sacks over the next two years to become the career sack record holder in all of college football, was voted defensive MVP. Martin was Super Region One Defensive Player of the Year this past season.

Andrew Huska, who made first team All-PSAC West as a punter and place-kicker, was named special teams MVP.

Other special awards included:

Ken Marshall Award (hard work, dedication): Kyle Henderson and Alfon Cook.

Scout Team: Nassir Weaver, Louie Derloni, Mike Merhaut, Garret McFarland and Roman Denson.

Paul Grimm Award (strength and conditioning): Joe Phillips.

Hoffman Homecoming MVP: Dante Nania.

Gary Hunt Award (intense competitor): Teven Williams.

Dr. Richard McLachlan Award (commitment): Mike Grata and Brett Crenshaw.

Robert DiSpirito (Rock Pride) Award: Jaimire Dutrieuille and Cory Tucker.

Coaches Award: Marcus Martin and Bob Vernick.

James McElhaney Award (honesty, loyalty): Todd Foster.

The annual video “Faces of Rock Football” was shown depicting the 2015 season. It ended with a tribute to Mihalik, who leaves Rock football with a program-record 197 wins in 28 years, two PSAC titles, eight PSAC West crowns, six PSAC West Coach of the Year Awards (including this year) and six national playoff appearances.

Mihalik and his wife, Laura, stood at the podium alone at night's end.

“You have a good program because you have good people,” Mihalik said. “This staff is great X's and O's guys, but more importantly, they are great men, great human beings who care about your sons.

“We want to win ... We do win ... but we also care about our players academically, socially and about how they become men.”

Mihalik thanked his daughters for “sharing their Dad with Rock football” and credited his wife for years of sacrifice and unselfishness.

“Laura did it all. She worked full-time, she cut the grass, blew the leaves off the lawn, paid the bills.” he said. “She allowed me to be a part of so many young men's lives and enjoy a game: Rock football.

“We've had a lot of great times together,” he added while embracing his wife. “And the best is yet to come.

“I will always be part of the Green and White, the home of champions,” he added.