ALLIANCE, Ohio — E. Dominic Capers, a 1972 graduate of the University of Mount Union and defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers, will give the University's 166th Commencement address at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 5 on the south lawn of Chapman Hall.
During his address, Capers will speak on the topic, "Talent Alone is Not Enough." He will focus on topics including finding something you love, understanding the law of compensation — the more you give, the more you get back and preparing for adversity and surviving success.
A native of Cambridge, Ohio, Capers earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in physical education from Mount Union in 1972 and earned a master's degree in administration from Kent State University in 1975.
While at Mount Union, Capers played both football and baseball and was an All-Ohio Athletic Conference First Team baseball selection in 1970 and led the team in home runs in 1972. He also spent time as a roommate and was a teammate of current Mount Union athletic director and head football coach Larry Kehres.
Capers built a successful coaching career on a solid foundation of teaching at several universities, including Kent State, San Jose State and Ohio State. As an educator, he established a style of engaging and challenging youth that contributed to his highly-respected style of coaching. Throughout his career, Capers has held athletes to high academic standards by demanding that they focus on the development of their minds as well as their bodies.
Capers is entering his 27th season in the NFL and his fourth year as defensive coordinator with the Green Bay Packers. In his three seasons with the Packers, he turned the team into one of the league's most formidable defenses including his 2010 unit that helped Green Bay win Super Bowl XLV.
Capers is one of the most experienced coaches in the NFL, spending time with seven different franchises before going to Green Bay. His coaching resume includes leading the expansion teams of the Carolina Panthers and the Houston Texans as head coach.
In 1996, Capers was named NFL Coach of the Year for his work with the Carolina Panthers. He was named NFL Assistant Coach of the Year three times: in 1994 with the Pittsburgh Steelers, in 1999 with the Jacksonville Jaguars and in 2009 with the Green Bay Packers.
An avid supporter of the institution, Capers was selected as a recipient of the Mount Union Alumni Service Award in 1995 for outstanding achievement in his professional field and for service to the University and/or community. He also was the recipient of the M Club Award of Excellence in recognition of his career experiences and activities in 1996.