After earning a spot on special teams over the final nine games of 2013 as a true freshman, Cole Chiappialle made the most of a superb spring practice season, culminating with a standout performance in the Blue-White game. Chiappialle carried the ball nine times for 63 yards and scored twice in the spring game. For his performance, head coach James Franklin asked Chiappialle to lead the team's post-game huddle break locker room. His efforts during the off-season strength and conditioning program have helped him add nearly 15 pounds since the start of the 2013 season. Chiappialle's work-ethic and talents made him a fixture on Penn State's special teams unit last season. A standout at Blackhawk High School, he made four tackles and had one carry against Purdue. The Beaver Falls native continues a long line of Nittany Lions from suburban Pittsburgh. The sophomore will again look to play a central role in Penn State's special teams units, in addition to moving up the depth chart in the running back rotation. He is among 11 returning Nittany Lions from Western Pennsylvania.
2013 - Freshman Season
Chiappialle appeared in the final nine games of the season on special teams. He was among 12 true freshmen to make their debut during the season. His work-ethic on the practice field earned him playing time on the coverage teams and he registered four tackles, including solo hits against Kent State, Indiana and Michigan. He also assisted on a tackle in the big road win at No. 14 Wisconsin in the season-finale. Chiappialle also carried the ball once in the win over Purdue.
High School
Chiappialle earned three letters for head coach Joe Hamilton at Blackhawk High School and was elected a team captain as a senior. He set the Beaver County game rushing record when he ran for 404 yards against Chartiers Valley in his final regular-season game. At the time, Chiappialle was among only 20 players in PIAA history to rush for 400 yards in a game, ranking 17th on the list. He carried the ball 210 times for 1,494 yards and 23 touchdowns his senior season, adding 49 catches for 522 yards and three scores. He ran for 2,185 yards in his career, adding 691 receiving yards and 272 return yards for a career total of 3,106 all-purpose yards. Chiappialle was selected to play in the East-West All-Star game. He also lettered in baseball and basketball and helped the Cougars win the 2012 Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) baseball championship.
Personal
Full name is Cole Philip Chiappialle. He is the son of Phil and Kim Chiappialle. He has one brother, Roger, and one sister, Britt. He plans on majoring in criminal justice and would like to pursue a career with the FBI. Born August 13, 1994 in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Chip Chiappialle Season 2013
#33PositionRBHeight5-8Weight197 lbsClassFreshmanHometownBeaver Falls, Pa.High SchoolJoe Hamilton
ClassFR