By Frank Rajkowski, SJU Writer/Video Producer

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. - When Kent Crowley '03 looks back on his time playing football for John Gagliardi, he does remember specific milestones – like the legendary former Saint John's University head coach's 400th victory, which occurred 20 years ago this week on Dec. 7, 2002.
 
But what Crowley cherishes most is the time he got to spend around Gagliardi day-to-day – both in practice and away from the field.
 
"Any part of being around John was real treasure," said Crowley, a senior running back who rushed for 167 yards and two touchdowns as the Johnnies won 21-14 on the road at Linfield (Ore.) in an NCAA Division III quarterfinal playoff matchup – the victory that got Gagliardi to 400 and left him eight shy of former Grambling coach Eddie Robinson's all-time record.
 
"Being there for his 400th win was definitely special. But what I remember most about John was how charismatic a person he was and the life lessons he passed on to us as adults moving forward after football."
 
Nevertheless, victory No. 400 was cause for celebration. After the final gun sounded, the head coach was surrounded by his players and the many SJU fans who made the trek to Oregon for the game.
 
His players held up a banner as then SJU vice president of student development Gar Kellom handed Gagliardi a plaque commemorating the occasion. But – as was typical for him in these moments – there was no grand speech.
 
"I'm just happy we won the game," Gagliardi said. "It's not about me. It's really about our players."
 
Those players moved on to face Trinity (Texas) on the road in San Antonio in the semifinals the following week. There, a heartbreaking 41-34 loss brought the 2002 season to a close. But the stage was set for the following year when Gagliardi would not only pass Robinson atop college football's all-time victories list, but win his fourth national championship as well.

Crowley and other seniors had graduated by then, but they looked on with pride at what their former head coach and teammates had accomplished.
 
"Those were definitely glory years," said Crowley, who was also a part of the 2000 SJU team which finished as national runner-up. "We had some great teams. I'm just grateful to have been part of some of them."
 
Gagliardi retired after the 2012 season with a career record of 489-138-11. He died in 2018 at 91, but his legacy lives on both at Saint John's and across the football coaching ranks.
 
"He was such a good role model," said Crowley, who since 2010 has been the owner of Twin Cities-based Crowley Construction and Restoration. "He was a father figure to many people over the years.
 
"He brought so many great qualities not just to football, but to life."

 
15 years ago (2007) - Josh Swenson '08 won the 100- and 200-yard butterfly, and the 200-yard freestyle as the SJU swim team beat St. Thomas 167-121 in the Warner Palaestra pool.

55 years ago (1967) - Tom Melcanon '68 had 19 points and Jim Holmes '69 led all rebounders with 19, but the Johnnies' hoops team fell 103-55 on the road at NCAA-powerhouse DePaul. The game was one of three SJU had scheduled against large-school competition early that season. The Johnnies also faced Detroit and Loyola (Chicago).

85 years ago (1937) - The SJU basketball team opened its season on Dec. 16 as the newly expanded Guild Hall (now termed a recreation center) was dedicated. 

90 years ago (1932) - It was announced that the SJU hockey team would be competing in the MIAC during the 1932-33 season.
 
"The hockey team last year played a number of outside games but no league tilts," The Record reported. "This season with a number of the old men back, the club hopes to expand its field of competition."