MOUNT PLEASANT — Central Michigan University and the Mount Pleasant community are mourning the loss of legendary football coach Roy Kramer, who passed away at the age of 96 in Tennessee.
Kramer, who led the Central Michigan football program from 1967 to 1977, compiled an impressive 83-32-2 record, including a national championship in 1974.
His contributions to college athletics extended beyond coaching, as he played a pivotal role in transitioning CMU to NCAA Division I-A and the Mid-American Conference.
“Roy Kramer set the standard and raised the bar in intercollegiate athletics,” said Amy Folan, Zyzelewski Family Vice President/Director of Athletics at CMU. “His impact is immeasurable and has been felt for decades.”
Kramer served as the athletics director at Vanderbilt University from 1978 to 1990 before becoming the commissioner of the Southeastern Conference, a position he held from 1990 to 2002. During his tenure, he was instrumental in creating the Bowl Championship Series, which laid the groundwork for the College Football Playoff.
Herb Deromedi, who joined Kramer’s coaching staff in 1967 and succeeded him as CMU’s head coach, praised Kramer for his visionary leadership. “He was, probably, the one person who was instrumental in getting Central Michigan University into the Mid-American Conference,” Deromedi said.
Kramer’s legacy is celebrated at CMU, where both he and Deromedi are enshrined in the National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame and the Marcy Weston Central Michigan University Hall of Fame.
The field at Kelly/Shorts Stadium is named in their honor, and statues of both men stand outside the Chippewa Champions Center.
Matt Drinkall, the current CMU football coach, reflected on Kramer’s lasting impact, recalling a personal phone call from Kramer after a recent victory. “He stayed up until 3:15 a.m. to call me personally,” Drinkall said. “It is impossible to measure the impact he made on Central Michigan University, the community of Mount Pleasant, and the game of college football itself.”
Roy Kramer leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire future generations at Central Michigan University and beyond.
His contributions to college football and athletics administration have left an indelible mark on the sport.