Dec. 4, 2010
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; December 4, 2010 - A pair of Penn State's finest will be honored Tuesday, Dec. 7 at the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame's annual celebration of college football.
Senior All-America guard Stefen Wisniewski (Bridgeville) will be recognized as one of 16 National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame Scholar-Athletes from across all NCAA and NAIA divisions.
Frank Rocco, a former Penn State Director of Football Operations and assistant coach, will be honored for his efforts with the NFF's Central Pennsylvania Chapter. Rocco is one of five individuals from across the nation who will receive a 2010 NFF Chapter Leadership Award. A member of the Penn State staff from 1982-2000, Rocco is the recipient for the East Region.
Wisniewski and the 2010 Scholar-Athletes will be honored at the National Football Foundation's 53rd Annual black tie awards dinner on Tuesday at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City.
A 2010 AFCA All-American, Wisniewski will receive an $18,000 scholarship for post-graduate studies. He also is a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, presented to the nation's premier college football Scholar-Athlete, with the winner receiving a total of $25,000 for post-graduate work.
Wisniewski is 16th Nittany Lion to be selected a Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete during Coach Joe Paterno's tenure and follows another Western Pennsylvania standout, Paul Posluszny (2006) on the list.
The Foundation's National Scholar-Athlete Awards are awarded on an annual basis to a select group of college football players in their senior year of eligibility who have demonstrated outstanding academic success, strong leadership, citizenship and superior football performance.
A three-time All-Big Ten lineman, Wisniewski has established himself as one of the nation's exceptional football student-athletes. He has been named to the 2010 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® for his exemplary community service. He also was selected one of 10 finalists for the 2010 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award and the Wuerffel Trophy for college football.
Owner of a superlative 3.91 grade-point average, Wisniewski was selected a 2009 and '10 first-team ESPN/CoSIDA Academic All-American®, as he added to his 2008 second-team honor. He is the first Penn State Football student-athlete to be a three-time ESPN/CoSIDA Academic All-American®. A secondary education major in the Schreyer Honors College, he is on schedule to graduate later this month.
The NFF's Chapter Leadership Awards, first presented in 1993, annually recognize five individuals, one from each region, for their commitment, generosity and leadership at the local level in fulfilling the NFF's mission of developing leaders through football. Each of the five leadership award winners will be honored during the NFF's Chapter Awards Luncheon on Tuesday in New York City.
Rocco has been instrumental in helping the NFF's Central Pennsylvania Chapter expand its impact. In 1997, Rocco played a significant role in founding the chapter, which covers 44 high schools and seven colleges. In the 13 years since, the chapter has awarded $129,000 to 450 student-athletes. Led by eight previous presidents, the chapter has developed key relationships with all of the pivotal constituencies in the region, including players, parents, coaches, athletic directors and sponsors.
A native of Ellwood City, Pa., Rocco has spent over 50 years in amateur football. He played at Ellwood City High School and at Juanita College, earning his degree in 1960. Rocco compiled an outstanding record as a Pennsylvania high school coach, including three seasons at Altoona Area High School. He also coached at Great Valley, Easton, Allentown-Allen, Penn Highlands and Fox Chapel high schools.
In 1982, Rocco matriculated to Penn State as an administrative assistant and coached the tight ends and passing game in 1985. In 1986, Rocco became the Director of Football Operations, where he stayed until 2000. He then took the same position at Liberty University, where he joined his son, Frank, a member of the Flames' coaching staff, from 2000-03.
Penn State is awaiting its bowl destination and opponent and may have an opportunity to play in its 25th New Year's bowl under Paterno, who is the all-time leader in bowl victories (24) and appearances (36). All bowl selections will be announced Sunday on ESPN (8:15 p.m.) and the Big Ten Network (8:30 p.m.).
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