Roger S. Penske/Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame

Mike Rieker
- Induction:
- 1997
- Class:
- 1978
Mike Rieker is best known as the quarterback who guided Lehigh to a 1977 NCAA Division II national championship, the only national title in the history of the LU football program. Rieker led Lehigh to a 12-2 record and eight straight victories to end the season, including a 33-0 rout of Jackson State in the Pioneer Bowl Championship Game.
Rieker’s career totals are impressive. He completed 293 passes out of 501 attempts (58.4%) for 4,649 yards and 40 touchdowns. And those figures don't include three playoff games which under NCAA statistics regulations aren't included in final stats. He was named the ECAC Division II Player of the Year and to the New York Times All-East Team.
“One man can't do it alone,” Rieker said. “Football is a team sport. I was only as good as the people around me. My team included my family, friends, coaches and teammates. Without their love, guidance and friendship I would not be here. My induction into the Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame is a testament to all those good people who surrounded me my whole life. Thanks to all.
Rieker threw the longest pass completion in school history: a 97-yarder to Mark Weaver at Pennsylvania in 1976. He still holds the single-season record for yards/attempts (10.57 in 1977) and the career mark for passing yards/attempt (9.19). He tallied a touchdown pass percentage of 10.0 and quarterback rating of 169.18 during the 1977 season.
On the career charts, Rieker tallied a quarterback rating of 147.93, a touchdown pass percentage of 7.91, and 40 touchdown passes.
A College Division All-American, Rieker had the arm, paired with the hands and legs of current Lehigh Hall of Famer Steve Kreider, that took Lehigh all the way to the top. Rieker and Kreider, like the famed backfield duo of Hall of Famers Dick Gabriel and Dick Doyne will always be remembered in the same breath. Lehigh has a firm tradition of outstanding quarterbacks beginning with All-American Pat Pazzetti Jr., in 1912. Only Rieker ever took the Engineers to a national championship.
After Lehigh, Rieker remained heavily involved in football. He coached the Catasauqua Knee-Hi team and coached for two years at Bethlehem Catholic. A member of the Lehigh Quarterback Club and Delta Tau Delta fraternity, Rieker served as a Territory Manager for Allegiance Health Care. Rieker and his wife, Denise have one son, Matthew.

Rieker’s career totals are impressive. He completed 293 passes out of 501 attempts (58.4%) for 4,649 yards and 40 touchdowns. And those figures don't include three playoff games which under NCAA statistics regulations aren't included in final stats. He was named the ECAC Division II Player of the Year and to the New York Times All-East Team.
“One man can't do it alone,” Rieker said. “Football is a team sport. I was only as good as the people around me. My team included my family, friends, coaches and teammates. Without their love, guidance and friendship I would not be here. My induction into the Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame is a testament to all those good people who surrounded me my whole life. Thanks to all.
Rieker threw the longest pass completion in school history: a 97-yarder to Mark Weaver at Pennsylvania in 1976. He still holds the single-season record for yards/attempts (10.57 in 1977) and the career mark for passing yards/attempt (9.19). He tallied a touchdown pass percentage of 10.0 and quarterback rating of 169.18 during the 1977 season.
On the career charts, Rieker tallied a quarterback rating of 147.93, a touchdown pass percentage of 7.91, and 40 touchdown passes.
A College Division All-American, Rieker had the arm, paired with the hands and legs of current Lehigh Hall of Famer Steve Kreider, that took Lehigh all the way to the top. Rieker and Kreider, like the famed backfield duo of Hall of Famers Dick Gabriel and Dick Doyne will always be remembered in the same breath. Lehigh has a firm tradition of outstanding quarterbacks beginning with All-American Pat Pazzetti Jr., in 1912. Only Rieker ever took the Engineers to a national championship.
After Lehigh, Rieker remained heavily involved in football. He coached the Catasauqua Knee-Hi team and coached for two years at Bethlehem Catholic. A member of the Lehigh Quarterback Club and Delta Tau Delta fraternity, Rieker served as a Territory Manager for Allegiance Health Care. Rieker and his wife, Denise have one son, Matthew.
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