On fall Saturdays, Lock Haven's Hubert Jack Stadium is one of the premier destinations in Pennsylvania to watch college football. The view of the Susquehanna River's West Branch, the cheers echoing down the valley and passionate on-field play tell only a small part of the story that is Lock Haven football. 
 
Behind the scenes the story continues, thanks to a prideful and passionate group. A group whose work is helping to fuel the program's resurgence.
 
The determined group of former players and supporters is known as the Gray Eagles.
 
Formed in 2017 and guided by a leadership team representing multiple eras of Bald Eagle football, the Gray Eagles are the official Lock Haven Football Alumni Booster Club.
 
Gray Eagles President Dave Hess (1977–1980), Vice President John White (1976–1979) and Treasurer Dan Howard (1991–1995) coordinate a growing network of former players committed to strengthening the program. The leadership team is supported by a Board of Directors made up of former Lock Haven players: Stan Allen '87, Bob Narducci '81, John Arty '79, Mike Kresovich '85, Terry Szucs '75, Dave Bower '75 and longtime Lock Haven Club Boxing Coach Ken Cooper '85. United in pride and purpose, this leadership groups aims to lead an alumni effort that is determined to help Lock Haven football become one of the best all-around programs in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.
 
The Gray Eagles' mission is straightforward: Provide the financial support, community backing and the long-term stability needed to build a championship caliber football program at The Haven.
 
Why the Gray Eagles Were Formed and Why The Mission Matters More Than Ever:
For nearly 45 years, Lock Haven football endured season after season of disappointment. Generations of Bald Eagle alumni watched the same pattern repeat until they reached a breaking point. The Gray Eagles were formed because former players grew tired of seeing the program struggle. They wanted to take more ownership of its future, and help build a team and a tradition Haven Nation could be proud of.
 
The urgency to support the Lock Haven football program has only grown with the landscape of college athletics quickly shifting. New opportunities abound with Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and the transfer portal play a major role in recruiting and have shifted how college football programs operate. We will continue to face an uphill battle and must support the Bald Eagles in every phase of the game, both on the field and off.
 
At the same time, rising university costs and reduced state funding have strained athletic departments across Pennsylvania. Football programs can no longer rely solely on institutional support and they must lean on alumni, friends and local businesses to stay competitive.
 
In this environment, the Gray Eagles' mission and work is essential, and the outcomes become the foundation for building depth at every position, creating a sustainable model for long-term success and preparing Lock Haven for the challenges ahead.
 
A Grassroots Effort with Big Ambitions:
What began as a small alumni initiative has evolved into a comprehensive movement. Since 2017, the Gray Eagles have expanded their reach throughout Lock Haven, Clinton County and the surrounding region. The Gray Eagles have built partnerships with local businesses, social clubs and civic organizations. These relationships have become essential to their fundraising success.
 
The Gray Eagles' annual golf tournaments and Sportsman & Cash Raffles have grown steadily, becoming reliable fundraisers that draw supporters from across the region. While participation has not yet reached the level the alumni envision, each event shows year over year progress and continues to build momentum.
 
What hasn't changed is the Gray Eagles' continued commitment to transparency and with that every dollar raised goes directly to football scholarships and player support. The Gray Eagles are focused on working hand-and-hand with university administration as the group pushes to increase the scale and impact of future efforts.
 
The Results: A Winning Program Again:
The impact of the Gray Eagles' work is becoming visible on the field. With improved resources and stronger support systems, Lock Haven recently celebrated its first winning season in decades, a milestone many alumni believe marks the beginning of a new era.
 
Current Lock Haven head football coach Joe Battaglia and his staff have embraced the alumni partnership, viewing it as a critical piece of the program's upward trajectory. Better funding has meant better opportunities for players, better stability for the program and a renewed sense of pride among former Bald Eagles.
 
But the challenge ahead is real. Lock Haven is moving from the PSAC East to the PSAC Western Division, which provides an opportunity for Lock Haven to play some of the best competition the nation. The PSAC West is home to perennial conference, region and NCAA DII national powers.
 
To compete in the PSAC West consistently, the program must develop a deeper and more resilient roster.
 
As Stan Allen, a respected voice within the organization, emphasizes, "Going 6–5 is not the end game. Playoffs and eventually a title shot have to be the standard."
 
The Power of 2,000 Alumni and the Untapped Potential Ahead:
Lock Haven has more than 2,000 football alumni, one of the largest alumni bases at The Haven. Yet, the Gray Eagles have been working with only a small portion of that group, a dedicated following nonetheless whose efforts have already helped fuel a winning season and strengthen the program's foundation.
 
The impact has been significant, but the potential is unmatched.
 
Board members note that the progress made so far represents only the beginning. If even a portion of the remaining alumni stepped forward, momentum could grow exponentially. And if all former Bald Eagles became involved, the possibilities could be extraordinary.
 
"Imagine where Lock Haven football could go if every one of our alumni joined the effort," Vice President John White said. "Lock Haven Football would be unstoppable."
 
Opportunities to Get Involved:
The Gray Eagles are committed to making involvement easy, welcoming and meaningful.
 
One of the best opportunities to reconnect is the upcoming 2026 Gray Eagles Weekend, scheduled for October 16 and 17. Lock Haven is set host Edinboro in at 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 17.
 
During the home football game, the Gray Eagles will host a table inside the stadium and a tailgate area in the parking lot, offering former players a chance to meet one another, learn more about the organization's work and see firsthand how alumni support is shaping the program's future.
 
Alumni can also stay connected year-round by visiting GrayEaglesFootballAlumni.com and by searching "Gray Eagles" on Facebook to follow the group's updates, stories, and initiatives.
 
The Gray Eagles emphasize that there are two simple actions every alumnus can take and both would immediately strengthen the program.
 
- First, visit GrayEaglesFootballAlumni.com, register and officially join the Gray Eagles.
 
- Second, participate in the group's fundraisers including the Sportsman & Cash Raffle, golf tournaments, and/or other annual events.
 
Gray Eagles' leadership stresses that if a majority of Lock Haven's more than 2,000 football alumni took these two simple steps, Lock Haven could continue to take meaningful steps forward in becoming one of the best-funded and supported programs in the PSAC. No doubt, these efforts would help exceed the Gray Eagles' expectations.
 
The path to transforming Bald Eagle football does not require complex solutions, but it does require alumni involvement, unity and participation.
 
More Than an Alumni Group:
The Gray Eagles describe themselves as former players, lifelong supporters, mentors, advocates, fundraisers and champions for the program's future. The mission of the Gray Eagles is long-term and unwavering support with hopes of funding Lock Haven football at a level that ensures sustained success - year after year and generation after generation.
 
And, if the last several years are any indication, the Gray Eagles are only getting started.