Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/79325
Versatile linebacker Mike Hull stays true to his Penn State roots LIONHEARTED mitted a year later – nearly a year and a half before national signing day – because, he said, "I couldn't go anywhere else." But after the NCAA dropped its heavy hammer on the football program, Hull and his family found themselves in a confusing situation. After the sanctions were announced in July, dozens of football coaches from across the country began calling Montecalvo at Canon- McMillan High School. Among other perks, they were offering Hull immedi- ate playing time. Montecalvo passed along the mes- sages, but Hull had no interest in any of those schools – except for one. It wasn't a West Coast school or a Florida power, although they most certainly reached out; it was one in his family's backyard: Pittsburgh. "They contacted my high school foot- ball coach first, and then I gave them a call," Hull said. "That was the only other school that I was really consid- ering, just because it was so close to home." So the weekend after NCAA president ARMED AND READY Hull added about 10 pounds in the off-season and is now up to 228. John Beale and '71, and Guy Montecalvo, his high school coach who is also a close A | t heart, linebacker Mike Hull says, he is a Penn State guy. His dad, Tom, was a line- backer for the undefeated 1973 team. His uncle John played under Joe Paterno in 1970 friend of the family, was a Nittany Lion, too. Hull has been immersed in blue-and-white lore since birth, having grown up a Penn State fan. By the time he was a sophomore in high school, he already held a de facto scholarship offer from former defensive coordinator Tom Bradley. He com- Mark Emmert announced the sanc- tions, Hull was on Pitt's campus for a visit. He enjoyed it, he said, and when he left Oakland that day, he knew ex- actly where he would finish his college career. "I visited Pitt," Hull said. "It was nice, but I'm just a Penn State guy at heart, and I knew I just didn't want to leave this place. "Ultimately, I decided this was the place I wanted to be. I chose Penn State out of high school, and I love the campus, love my friends here and love the team and the opportunity." Added Montecalvo, "He's from a Penn State family. Penn State is their school. When he visited the other place, it was