By Jerry Clark

Published: Wednesday, February 13, 2013, 9:02 p.m.
Updated: Wednesday, February 13, 2013

It's always nice to close a chapter on a positive note, especially in the world of sports, where that is often difficult to do.

Seldom do athletes get to end their careers like John Elway or Jerome Bettis, riding off into the sunset with a championship win.

Indiana (Pa.) center Anthony DiPasquale didn't win a championship on the gridiron as his final fete in college football. But the senior earned an honor that encompassed his dedication to not just his football career, but his academic one, as well.

DiPasquale was selected to receive the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Fall Top 10 Award, an award given by the conference's sports information directors. The award is designed to recognize student-athletes who excel in the classroom and in athletic competition.

The award is not limited to football.

DiPasquale, who is in graduate school for marketing, said it was a lot of work playing football while working toward his MBA.

“There was not much time to slack off,” he said. “I have to focus and always be on task, but I take pride in that.”

DiPasquale was thrilled to be recognized for both bodies of work. He was the centerpiece of an offensive line that paved the way for two 1,000-yard rushers this past season as IUP boasted the 10th best rushing offense.

The center said he is content with his football career as IUP advanced to the quarterfinals of the playoffs in his final season. He is getting ready to put his degree to work in the world of sales.

DiPasquale is ready to finish up college with a 3.75 GPA as a marketing graduate student. He started all 14 games for the Crimson Hawks as the team won the conference championship. He became the 40th player in school history to earn this distinction, which began in 1997.

The former Pine-Richland player now is eligible for the PSAC Pete Nevins Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award presented at the conclusion of the school year to the top male and female student-athletes in the conference.

“The main thing (in regard to the award) is to plan, schedule and have a good work ethic,” DiPasquale said. “If I was not in school, I was working or at the athletic office studying film. This is a great school, and this was a big challenge.”

Jerry Clark is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-779-6979 or jeclark@tribweb.com.

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