Valparaiso recruits WPIAL with help from former Western Pa. standout
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Sunday, June 2, 2019 | 5:16 PM
Thomas Jefferson’s Daniel Deabner stiff-arms South Fayette’s Mike Trimbur on a long reception during the WPIAL Class 4A championship game Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018, at Heinz Field.
Thomas Jefferson’s Shane Stump celebrates after breaking up a pass intended South Fayette’s Mike Trimbur during the WPIAL Class 4A championship game Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018, at Heinz Field.
Football coaches at Notre Dame and Ball State have found success recruiting the WPIAL, but now another Indiana school has joined the picture.
At least five WPIAL recruits announced offers in the past week from FCS program Valparaiso including three teammates at Thomas Jefferson. TJ quarterback Shane Stump, wide receiver/defensive back Dan Deabner and tight end/linebacker James Martinis all announced offers from the Crusaders, along with Bethel Park lineman Brandon Cole and Central Catholic running back/defensive back Kyros Thorpe.
They were the first Division 1 offers for all five.
Valparaiso’s connection to Western Pennsylvania is assistant head coach Dave Bucar, a Penn-Trafford graduate. The university hired a new football coach in March and Bucar is part of Landon Fox’s incoming staff.
Bucar was a standout lineman at Washington & Jefferson in the late-2000s. As a coach, he worked two stints as a Pitt assistant from 2009-12 and 2015-16. He was on Maryland’s staff last year.
Valparaiso competes in the Pioneer Football League, a 10-team conference that includes Dayton, Morehead State, San Diego and others. The Crusaders went 2-9 overall last season, 2-6 in the conference.
Blessed to say I have EARNED my 1st Division 1 offer from Valparaiso University!! #ProtectTheShield pic.twitter.com/W7eswhAHtj
— Kyros (@thorpekyros) May 31, 2019
Excited to receive my first D1 offer from Valparaiso University!! pic.twitter.com/F6c8BIV9c5
— Daniel Deabner Jr. (@danieldeabner) May 30, 2019
Beyond excited to announce that I have received my first division one offer from Valparaiso University! Thank you @valpoufootball @CoachBucar for this amazing opportunity! #protecttheshield #govalpo pic.twitter.com/r6G0Fo64Md
— James Martinis (@jamesmartinis33) May 28, 2019
First Division 1 Offer from Valpo! Thank you @CoachBucar for the opportunity! #govalpo pic.twitter.com/jnMJ9zJEtq
— Shane Stump (@shane36stump) May 28, 2019
Excited to have received my first Division 1 offer from Valparaiso University! #ProtectTheShield @CoachBucar pic.twitter.com/Kj4JtX8OCb
— Brandon Cole (@bc_0955) May 30, 2019
Chris Harlan is a TribLive reporter covering sports. He joined the Trib in 2009 after seven years as a reporter at the Beaver County Times. He can be reached at charlan@triblive.com.
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