Distinguished Alumni Award caps busy day for Carlisle
CHADRON – At the opening of his undergraduate commencement address Saturday, May 7, Chadron 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 Chadron State College and the Seattle Seahawks’ 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’s 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.
“Chadron is an amazing place,” he said. “Everyone here respects everyone else and that makes a difference. You never know who is going to help you. This place is special.”
Carlisle also spoke about the caring nature of CSC and its faculty and staff.
“I was an athlete and I thought I didn’t 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: ‘You’ve come so far.’ That meant the world to me. Chadron State College touches your soul and your heart.”
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’s also been involved with 19 national championship teams and he’s 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.
Category: Campus News, Chadron State Alumni & Foundation, Commencement