University Park, Pa. — Eight graduating seniors and two underclassmen from 10 central Pennsylvania colleges and universities will be honored for their academics and athletics at the 14th annual Student-Athlete Scholarship Banquet sponsored by the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame on Sunday, March 27.
Among the honorees is Penn State wide receiver Brett Brackett (Lawrenceville, N.J.). Brackett was the recipient of Penn State’s 2010 Outstanding Senior Player Award and Big Ten Sportsmanship recipient. During his senior season, he ranked second on the team in receptions (39), receiving yardage (525) and touchdown receptions (5), making at least one reception in every game. A three-sport standout at Lawrence High School, Brackett set career-highs with eight receptions for 98 yards, including 20 and 22-yard touchdown catches, in the season opening win over Youngstown State.
A 2010 co-captain, Brackett served as president of Penn State’s Uplifting Athletes Chapter the past two years and was one of primary organizers of Penn State Lift for Life, raising nearly $200,000 for the Kidney Cancer Association and kidney cancer patients. Brackett was named Academic All-Big Ten four times. He earned his second degree, in economics, this past December, having completed his marketing degree in 2009.
In January, Brackett played in the Eastham Energy College All-Star Game in Tempe, Ariz.
The Central Pa. NFF Chapter banquet will be held at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel on the Penn State University campus, starting at 1:30 p.m., with doors opening at 12:45 p.m. Former Penn State All-American Bobby Engram, an assistant coach with the National Football League’s San Francisco 49ers, is the featured speaker.
The 10 football players will join 44 high school seniors from 18 central Pennsylvania counties who will receive awards for their academic and athletic achievements. Twelve of the high school student-athletes will be given a special $1,000 college scholarship for their outstanding success on the field and off it. Two of the 10 college players being honored this year were recognized as high school student-athletes at the 2007 chapter banquet and one was a winner of a scholarship.
One high school student-athlete also will be singled out for a new community service award named in honor of long-time chapter board member and former Penn State assistant football coach, Joe Sarra. Another new award for lifetime achievement will honor the retired "voice" of Penn State sports, Fran Fisher.
In addition, the chapter’s lifetime achievement award for officiating will go to Bob Weller, the one-time head coach and athletic director at Lock Haven University, who spent 50 years officiating at Pennsylvania scholastic football games.
The 10 college players being honored Sunday are:
Brett Brackett – Penn State University, wide receiver, senior from Lawrenceville, N.J.
Mark Berguson – Juniata University. offensive lineman/fullback, senior from Mansfield, Pa.
Patrick Carey – Bloomsburg University, quarterback, junior from Loyalsock, Pa.
Anthony DiPasquale – Indiana University of Pennsylvania, center, junior from Gibsonia, Pa.
Bobby Eppleman – Susquehanna University, punter/kicker, senior from Chester Springs, Pa.
Josh Klinefelter – Lycoming College, running back, senior from Bellwood, Pa.
Scott Lewis – St. Francis University, linebacker, senior from South Fork, Pa.
Travis Miffley – Bucknell University, linebacker, senior from Mt. Joy, Pa.
Mike Rocco – Lock Haven University, free safety, senior from Philipsburg, Pa.
Nick Sipes – Clarion University, strong safety, senior from Curwensville, Pa.
Rocco and Sipes were high school award winners in 2007 and Rocco also received a $1,000 scholarship.
Tickets for the Awards Banquet are $25.00 each and $250.00 for a table of 10. Anyone interested in purchasing tickets should contact Frank Rocco at 814-861-3625.