With all the bad that’s going on these days in college football — violations at traditional powers Ohio State and Miami (Fla.), player suspensions at LSU, the Texas A&M-Big 12 controversy, etc.— it’s nice to be celebrating something good.

It’s even better to be honoring somebody great.

While the above problems epitomize what’s wrong with college football, George Mihalik epitomizes what’s right about it.

When Slippery Rock University officially renames its stadium Mihalik-Thompson Stadium at halftime of Saturday night’s game against Cheyney, there will be plenty of tears flowing.

People who follow SRU football, those who have played for the team, followed the program or coached with Mihalik know what that man means to that university community.

The numbers are there: 154 wins in 24 seasons, a .617 winning percentage, three trips to the NCAA Division II playoffs, four PSAC West titles, No. 3 in wins among active PSAC coaches, No. 5 in wins on the league’s all-time list.

As impressive as those numbers are, forget them.

Numbers are not what this is about.

Dedication, loyalty and genuine caring are what George Mihalik is about. He receives plenty of each in return.

The bulk of Mihalik’s staff has been with him for years. Offensive coordinator Vic Campagna and offensive line coach Joe Walton have been with him for all 24 years.

Mihalik was a quarterback at SRU. He returned to become an assistant coach at The Rock only a year after leaving the university.

Mihalik doesn’t run a football program. He runs a football family.

Once a kid dons the Green and White, it’s in his system forever. Period.

After each home game, The Rock coaches and their families tailgate together outside of the stadium. It’s a weekly celebration of friendship.

A number of PSAC West opponents — California, IUP, Gannon and Mercyhurst — have many more football scholarships than the Rock, twice as many in some cases. Yet SRU remains a consistent winner in the league.

Mihalik can’t offer every deserving kid as scholarship. He can offer them a program that’s going to help the player succeed academically and realize his true potential as a football player.

Just ask Brandon Fusco.

There’s a Seneca Valley kid now playing in the NFL because of the guidance he received at SRU. And when his pro career comes to an end, Fusco has his college degree in his back pocket.

Mihalik cares about his players as people. He is a compassionate man first, an educator second, a football coach third.

Few coaches ever get stadiums named after them. Still fewer get stadiums named after them while they’re still coaching.

There are plenty of reasons why George Mihalik is becoming one of those select few.

About 40 years’ worth.

John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle