On Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, Council Rock South seniors Anthony Alimenti, PJ Gallo and Ben Solis were recognized at a special news conference for signing letters of intent to play collegiate football.
Anthony Alimenti – Duquesne University (Football)
Major – Athletic Training
Final list of schools: Duquesne, West Chester, Elon
Reasons for choosing Duquesne: “I liked the area a lot and the coaches and just the overall chemistry of the players.”
What was the progression that led you to playing collegiate football? “Ever since I was young, I wanted to play, so I continued to go for it, and it worked out.
“At the end of my junior year, I started hearing from Duquesne, and it just followed through until the end. It’s definitely a good feeling when a school stays with you through the whole process, and I’m glad it ended the way it did.”
Coach Vince Bedesem says: “Anthony has worked hard since football season ended, and he actually has packed on another 15-20 pounds. He looks tremendous. He’s another kid that’s going to walk in, and he looks the part. With the work ethic he has, he’ll fit right in.”
About Anthony:
Favorite food: Spaghetti
Favorite movie: Friday Night Lights
Favorite music: All kinds
PJ Gallo – University of Maryland (Football)
Major: Business
Final list of colleges: Maryland, University of North Carolina, Syracuse
Reasons for choosing Maryland: “I just kind of fell in love with it the first time I went down there. Everything about it – I loved the coaching staff, the campus, the academics, and the location. It seemed like a perfect fit for me.”
What was the progression that led you to playing collegiate football: “After my sophomore year – I had a good season, and Coach Vince (Bedesem) and I talked about it. I talked to a couple of coaches after my sophomore year, and after my junior year, it just kind of took off.
“(The recruiting process) is pretty stressful. There are so many calls you have to make, so many calls you have to take and e-mails, and they’re all over Facebook. It was a little strenuous.”
Coach Vince Bedesem says: “His accomplishments speak for themselves throughout the course of his career. The kid was preseason all-state in one position, and he ended up being all-state in another position. Maryland is getting one tremendous kid. I just saw him, and he looks tremendous. He was down in Maryland all summer, taking the summer courses and lifting. He already looks like he could compete right now.”
About PJ:
Favorite food: Cheese Steaks
Favorite movie: Superbad
Favorite music: Dave Matthews Band
Ben Solis – Stony Brook University (Football)
Major: Business
Reasons for choosing Stony Brook: “There were other schools I looked at, but it was nothing serious. I loved the athletic facilities – a new $4.3 million weight room is being put in right now. Their stadium is gorgeous, and their program is on the rise.”
When did you start thinking about playing at the collegiate level? “I started thinking about it in eighth and ninth grade. In the beginning, (learning the kicking game) was kind of hard, but eventually, I got into a rhythm, and once I got into a rhythm, I started doing really well.”
Coach Vince Bedesem says: “Ben is a tremendous kid that worked with us for four years. He was kind of an understudy the first two years, but the last two years, he took over kicking duties as far as punting and kicking extra points, field goals and kickoffs. He’s definitely an asset of ours that we’re going to miss and that maturation of trying to get a kid in there and fill his shoes. Stony Brook is getting an important piece that will fit in well with their team.”
About Ben:
Favorite food: Sushi
Favorite movie: Superbad
Favorite music: Beatles
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