They came to pay tribute to a coach and mentor.

Twenty-three captains of Harvard football teams, dating back to 1971, returned to The Stadium Saturday to honor a man who had touched their lives.

Gathered at midfield under a cold metal sky, middle-aged and young silently passed a football down the line, from history into history. From David A. Ignacio `71 to current Captain Brian D. Rammer '94 and finally to their venerable leader: Coach Joe Restic.

Restic received Rammer's hand-off; the hushed halftime crowd burst into cheers, and the band, which had spelled a great crimson "Joe," launched into "Ten Thousand Men of Harvard." The rest of the team rushed the field to congratulate him.

After 23 years of Harvard football, Restic coached his last home game. With an overall 117-95-6 record, (92-61-5 against the Ivy opponents) he is the Winningest coach in school history. He has led the Crimson to five Ivy League titles in 1974, 1975, 1982, 1983 and 1987.

"I've enjoyed the experience," he reflected after Saturday's heartbreaking 27-20 loss to Pennsylvania [see related story p.12].

"I have no grudges, complaints, or gripes. I've tried to give whatever time I could to the players and the game."

More than a victorious career, Restic leaves behind the abiding respect of colleagues and players and an enduring commitment to amateur athletics.

"Our entire coaching staff thanked him for all he'd done, "Pennsylvania Coach Al Bagnoli said after the game. "When the history books close, they'll look upon the long tenure of Restic and [Yale Coach] Carm [Cozza]. They've been good for football."

"Football's a great game when it's played by amateurs," Restic said. "The pro world is a business. I've always stressed the positive, rewarding side of the game.

"On [this] level the people play for the love of it and with intensity. There's as much emotion here before a game as anywhere in the country."

Emotion carried the Crimson (3-5, 1-4 Ivy)through two superb quarters against the unbeatenQuakers (9-0, 6-0). At the half, Harvard led20-10, and an upset appeared imminent. It wouldhave been a storybook end to Restic's illustriouscareer.

"We realized everything about this game," Ramersaid. "We all wanted to win for coach, for theseniors, for the team."

The Crimson fell short, but honored Resticanyway.

After all, he never believed inwinning-at-all-costs.

He cared more for developing character.