Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/717693
FOOTBALL 2016 RETURN ENGAGEMENT Gregg Garrity working to hold o fierce punt-return competition I t started like any other winter workout. His teammates were stretching and loos- ening up for their lift. The strength and conditioning staff was preparing the day's routine. Head coach James Franklin was call- ing order at the head of the room. But before he handed it over, Franklin beck- oned for Gregg Garrity. "Pook!" Franklin yelled, using his nick- name. "You want to come break it down?" For Garrity, a former walk-on from Pitts- burgh who has fought for playing time in each of his first three seasons, the coach's re- quest was nothing out of the ordinary. So up Garrity went, because, as he'll tell you, he'll do almost anything for his team. He soon found out, though, this wasn't for them. No, as Garrity walked to stand with the coach, Franklin delivered the news. "Garrity", he announced, "you're on full scholarship." "Everyone went nuts," Garrity remem- bers. "It was just a special moment, looking back at the past three years, at all the hard work I've put in. It just really made it all worth it." A third-generation Penn Stater – Gregg Sr. (1980-82) and grandfather Jim ('52-54) were three-year lettermen for the Nittany Lions – Garrity was thrilled, and so was his family. "After the workout was done, I called my dad and I told him about the news," Garrity said. ROLE OF A LIFETIME Garrity opted to walk- on at Penn State, where his father was a star re- ceiver on the 1982 na- tional championship team. Now a senior, he is on scholarship and is vying to be the team's full-time punt returner. Photo by Steve Manuel