A very sad note today out of Slippery Rock University. The University, The Rock Athletics Department and the SRU football program are mourning the death of 1963 SRU alumnus Jerry Bejbl, a Rock Athletics Hall of Fame inductee and longtime beloved supporter of the University. Bejbl passed away Sunday, March 20th in Illinois at the age of 82. After graduating from The Rock, Jerry went on to create a world-wide family business. By 2012, Bejbl reached a significant milestone as a contributor to Slippery Rock when he became the first alumnus in the University’s history to top the $1 million mark in total contributions. The Bejbl family provided funds for renovations and modernization of the primary weight training facility for SRU student-athletes, known today as the Jerry Bejbl Weight Training facility at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.
Bejbl wasn’t just a financial supporter of Slippery Rock University or the football program. He rarely missed a home game, driving from the Chicago area, often through the middle of the night, to make sure he was on the sideline for The Rock’s home games. He also almost never missed a playoff game, driving and flying all over the country for SRU playoff games.
Bejbl also showed up to support SRU, as he also was a frequent visitor on campus for various fundraisers, golf outings, galas and other University events.
He also supported individual student-athletes, traveling all over the country to join in celebrating their success. He went to Alabama with Brandon Fusco when he played in the Reese’s Senior Bowl in 2011, drove to New York City to celebrate with Marcus Martin when he was honored at the National Football Foundation Awards Dinner in 2017 and just a few months ago, flew to Las Vegas to celebrate with Henry Litwin at a national awards dinner last December.
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