Before he helped lead the New York Giants to two Super Bowl titles, Kevin Gilbride, ’74 was calling plays and building championship-caliber teams at his alma mater. On June 4, former players, colleagues, alumni, and friends will gather to celebrate the coaching icon during “A Night to Honor Coach Kevin Gilbride.”
The celebration will recognize Gilbride’s remarkable football career, which began at Southern as a student-athlete and later led him to the highest levels of professional football, including two Super Bowl championships with the New York Giants.
A former Owls tight end and quarterback, Gilbride became the first Southern graduate to serve as a head coach in the National Football League. After leading Southern’s football program from 1980 to 1984 and compiling a 35-14 record, he went on to coach in the Canadian Football League and NFL, including stops with the Houston Oilers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers, and New York Giants.
Ahead of the event, Gilbride and former Southern men’s soccer coach Ray Reid appeared separately on WTNH’s Good Morning Connecticut to reflect on the celebration and the impact Southern had on their careers.
“This is where I got my start, first as a player and a student,” Gilbride said. “When I had a chance to come back, I loved it. This celebration, to me, is really a celebration of Southern. It’s a chance for me to acknowledge their contributions to my career and say thank you for all they’ve done.”
Gilbride described his five years as Southern’s head coach as among the most rewarding of his career.
“Those five years as a coach were as enjoyable as any five I’ve had anywhere, at any level,” he said.
The evening is expected to bring together former teammates, players, coaches, and colleagues from throughout Gilbride’s football journey. Gilbride noted that seeing former players and friends from across his career is one of the aspects he is most looking forward to.
“I’m going to get a chance to see some people that I haven’t seen in a long time,” he said. “There are going to be a bunch of Giants players there that were part of those two championship runs, so it’s going to be a wonderful evening.”
Reid, who serves as a special assistant for athletics advancement, said the event is about celebrating one of Southern’s most influential athletic figures while supporting the future of the football program.
“We’re going to celebrate the career of Coach Kevin Gilbride,” Reid said during his WTNH appearance. “He’s one of the finest we’ve had. We’re bringing him back, and we’ve gotten a great response from alumni, former coaches, and former players.”
The event also serves as a fundraiser for Southern football, helping provide additional resources for the program under Head Coach Joe Loth.
“We’ve got to increase the funding,” Reid said. “This is a big night to celebrate the program, to celebrate Kevin, and to raise money for SCSU football.”
The celebration follows last year’s successful event honoring legendary soccer coach Bob Dikranian and reflects a growing effort to recognize the individuals who have shaped Southern athletics.
“We’re trying to do this yearly, bringing back coaches and honoring the legacy of those who came before us,” Reid said. “It’s great to get people back, reunite alumni, and support the Athletic Department.”
The evening will feature a cocktail hour, dinner, and speaking program. Legendary broadcaster George Grande, the original host of ESPN’s SportsCenter and longtime voice of the Cincinnati Reds, will serve as master of ceremonies.
Proceeds from the event will support Southern’s football program and future student-athlete success.
