VOL. 23, NO. 6	OCTOBER 10, 1997

Coach Ray Tellier. Record Photo by Amy Callahan.

By Kim Brockway

  Columbia's football team—fresh from last season's best record in more than 50 years—has begun its 1997 season with another milestone in hand.

  A $1-million gift from Shepard and Patricia Alexander has created the Shepard and Patricia Alexander Head Football Coach position. Ray Tellier, who was named the nation's Division 1-AA Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association last year, is the first to hold the endowed post.

  "With last year's terrific football season still fresh in our memory," said President George Rupp, "we are delighted that Shepard and Pat Alexander will continue their support of Columbia athletics well into the future. This is certainly a marvelous way for our players, coaches and fans to begin the new season."

  A member of the class of '21 and the oldest member of the Varsity "C" Club, Alexander, 96, competed in tennis while an undergraduate at Columbia College and has been a lifelong supporter of Columbia athletics. For many years he was a partner in the Wall Street firm of Hamarshlag Kempner & Co., and now lives in Rumson, N.J.

  "Our gift is in appreciation of the many fine times we have had at Baker Field over a period of so many years," Alexander said.

  Tellier has been the head coach of football at Columbia for eight years. He is credited with transforming the Lions' gridiron program into an Ivy League championship contender. Columbia posted an 8-2 record last fall—its best record since the 8-1 season of 1945—and finished second in the League.

  "The establishment of an endowed chair for the head football coach is an historic moment in Columbia's football history," Tellier said. "Shep Alexander has been a longtime and generous supporter of the University, Columbia College and the football program. This is an affirmation of our alumni's continuing commitment to the Columbia football program. It's a tremendous honor to be the first Shepard and Pat Alexander Coach of Football."

  The endowed coaching position is the latest in a series of fundraising initiatives in Columbia athletics. Columbia alumni have made significant contributions toward the intercollegiate strength and conditioning room, the resurfacing of the football stadium, the refurbishment of the football locker room and proposed renovation of other areas within the Chrystie Field House.

  "This gift is particularly significant to me because it is from such a fine gentleman, Mr. Alexander, and his wife Pat," said John Reeves, director of physical education and intercollegiate athletics. "The first occupant of the endowed position, Ray Tellier, is considered by his peers and the Columbia family to be the best in Division 1-AA. We are riding the crest of a wave here at Columbia in athletics, and more good things are in our future."