SLIPPERY ROCK — A career celebration for George Mihalik took place Friday night at Slippery Rock University’s Robert M. Smith Student Center.

But this wasn’t a celebration of Mihalik’s 44-year career at The Rock as a football player, assistant and head coach that ended last season. Nor was it a celebration of the success of SRU’s safety management program developed by Mihalik 24 years ago.

This was a celebration of a human being.

“Forget about all of the accomplishments and accolades,” longtime Rock assistant and new head coach Shawn Lutz said. “I’m honored and privileged to be the new head coach at Slippery Rock and I’m standing here because of this great man.

“You win games by having great players and great coaches. Coach Mihalik built the foubndation of good alums that make all of that happen.”

And they’ve been giving back.

Lutz pointed to the $66,000 in football scholarship money raised by this year’s golf outing, about Rock alumnus Chuck Sanders donating the stadium’s new scoreboard, a former player’s parents giving money to the program, ex-player Jerry Bejbl’s numerous contributions to the weight room, etc.

“Coach started all of that,” Lutz said.

Nearly 175 people attended Friday’s celebration dinner and more than $10,000 was raised for two scholarships — one for football, one for a safety management major — in Mihalik’s name that will begin in 2017.

Mihalik started the safety management program at SRU that has become one of the university’s most popular majors. Starting with four students in that program in 1982, there are more than 500 safety majors at The Rock now.

“I came to SRU in 1990 and didn’t have a lot of confidence in myself as a student,” said Rebecca Smith Cranford, who graduated as a safety major. Dr. Mihalik saw something in me. He pushed me. I sought his approval and respect.

“Great coaches make their athletes believe in themselves. I never played football for you, but I was coached by you.

“You’re not just a successful football coach. You had a day job. You made a difference in the lives of a lot of professionals. You built leaders in the industrial world. Rock safety graduates have gone on to prevent fatalities, serious injuries ... That’s because of you,” she added.

Mihalik wasn’t too shabby coaching football, either. He had 197 wins, eight PSAC West titles, six NCAA playoff appearances and retired on the heels of back-to-back PSAC championships.

“George is a PSAC guy and that’s the best compliment I can give him out of our office,” PSAC commissioner Steve Murray saod. “He helped build this conference. His priority was education. He was a teascher.

“He taught so much more than football. He taught kids how to become adults.”

Murray presented Mihalik with a PSAC Service Award for his 40-plus years and the 2015 PSAC West Coach of the Year Award.

Dr. Cheryl Norton, SRU president, presented Mihalik with an Award of Excellence from the university.

“Each one of us has had unique experiences with George that will never be replicated by anyone else we meet,” Norton said. “George is that special of a person.”

Robert Aebersold, president of SRU from 1984 through 1997, hired Mihalik as head coach in 1988.

“It was the best hire I ever made, simple as that,” he said.

Numerous former players, former and current coaches were on hand to honor Mihalik.

“I had Coach Mihalik for health class,” Sanders recalled. “I was always the class clown growing up. Coach took me aside and said I was a very intelligent young man who didn’t have to act that way.

“I took that to heart, graduated with honors and became successful in business. That man changed my life.”

Vic Campagna coached 32 years with Mihalik. He said trust, education and family were the keys to his success.

“He trusted his staff. In terms of education, he walked the walk,” Campagna said. “He was a professor here and went to class every day. He expected his players to do the same. And he instilled the ideals of The Rock football family that everyone bought into.”

Mihalik himself described the “village of support” that built his career.

“Everyone in this room helped build me as a coach and person,” Mihalik said. “Not many people have the opportunity to play and work at the same university for a lifetime. I did.

“This was never a job. This was just life. Thank you for giving me a memory tonight that nobody will appreciate more. You are The Rock.”