Nearly 10,000 fans were on hand as Saint Vincent College and the Pittsburgh Steelers blessed and dedicated Chuck Noll Field prior to the Steelers' evening practice at the college.

The field was named after the legendary Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Chuck Noll, who led the team to four Super Bowl victories in the 1970s.

The dedication ceremony began with the National Anthem played by members of the Greater Latrobe High School Band.  Participants in the ceremony included Saint Vincent Chancellor Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, OSB, President Jim Towey, Bearcat football coach Bob Colbert, Steelers Chairman Dan Rooney, and Steelers president Art Rooney II.

Others present included some very familiar names in Pittsburgh football circles, including Art Rooney Jr, John Rooney, former players Dick Hoak, Louis Lipps, and Tunch Ilkin, Steeler head coach Mike Tomlin, and legendary scout Bill Nunn. 

Noll, who was unable to attend, sent a written statement that noted how Saint Vincent had been such a special place for him.

"The great facilities, the hospitality, and the people at Saint Vincent made it ideal for us to prepare for the football season," he said.  "It was the perfect summer home, and the successes we enjoyed started there."

"We worked hard there," he continued, "but we also had a lot of fun.  I personally have very pleasant memories of Saint Vincent College.  The highlight was when I had the opportunity to conduct the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra there."

The Pittsburgh Symphony presented an outdoor, free admission concert in tribute to the late Art Rooney Sr, founder of the Steelers, on August 9, 1989 at Saint Vincent.  Andreas Delfs, then resident conductor, led the special program which featured John Phillip Sousa's 'Stars and Stripes Forever' conducted by Noll.  Over 10,000 people were also on campus that evening.

"I am very touched and appreciative of this honor," Noll concluded.

Following this statement, read by John Rooney, Archabbot Nowicki and Father Brian Boosel, OSB, blessed the stadium.  Father Paul Taylor, Saint Vincent Director of Institutional Advancement, served as the master of ceremonies for the event, and then introduced the 2007 Pittsburgh Steelers, who took the practice field to a huge ovation from the packed grandstand.

The Saint Vincent Bearcat football team will take the field for the first time in over 45 years on September 1st, hosting Gallaudet University (DC) at 1pm. 

Photo (By Jim Berger): The Pittsburgh Steelers practice in front of a standing-room only crowd at newly dedicated Chuck Noll Field at Saint Vincent College