DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARDS

Todd A. Blackledge '83

To Todd Blackledge for his exemplary Notre Dame, Tennessee, and Penn State. recognition of the University. In 1997, players to commit to the USO's career as a scholar-athlete and broadcaster. A visit from Coach was the Blackledge was named to the Academic Operation Gridiron: Huddle with the turning point in Blackledge's decision. All-America Hall of Fame. Troops. Seven other players, including “Joe Paterno told me he thought I was a former Penn State teammate Kenny Former Todd Blackledge quarterback who could help lead Penn Since retiring from football, Blackledge Jackson, traveled to Kuwait to coach a secured his place in Penn State history State to a national championship,” he has has built a successful career in broadcast- flag football tournament for military when he led the Nittany Lion football said of that visit. Paterno was right. Four ing as a studio and game analyst working personnel. Blackledge also remains team to its first national championship in years later, they celebrated that milestone for CBS, ABC, and ESPN. Blackledge was committed to Penn State, serving on the 1982. The Lions were 10-1 and ranked No. together in New Orleans. nominated for a Sports Emmy for his Board of Visitors for Penn State's John 2 when they faced the unbeaten No. 1 work as CBS Sports' lead college football Curley Center for Sports Journalism. Georgia Bulldogs in a noisy As a three-year starter at Penn State, analyst in the category “Outstanding showdown in the Superdome in New Blackledge led the Nittany Lions to a 29- Sports Personality-Sports Event Analyst” Blackledge was one of seven former Orleans. Anyone watching that game on 4 record, including 13 comeback victories. in 2004. After seven seasons with CBS, student athletes honored last year with Jan. 1, 1983, will remember Blackledge's He still holds several Penn State records, Blackledge rejoined ESPN in 2006 as lead the 2008 NCAA Silver Anniversary Award, perfect 47-yard pass and 's including touchdown passes in a season analyst for “ESPN College Football recognizing those who excelled in diving catch in the end zone in the (22) and career (42). His 358 yards passing Saturday Primetime”. With 20 years of collegiate sports and in their chosen fourth quarter to secure Penn State's in a single game, versus Miami in 1981, still sports broadcasting experience, professions. victory. That play, which was featured on ranks as fourth best in Penn State foot- Blackledge finds it amusing that he's the cover of Sports Illustrated, was one ball history. Blackledge was a first-round currently known for “Todd's Taste of the A member of the Penn State Alumni of many Blackledge made that day on his draft pick in the NFL and played quarter- Town,” his short video pieces on favorite Association, Blackledge and his wife of 19 way to being named the game's MVP. back for the (1983-87) eating spots in the college towns he years, Cherie, have four sons. They live in and (1988-89) before visits. While in State College to broad- Canton, Ohio. Less than a decade earlier, Blackledge's retiring from football. cast a game, Blackledge introduced his dreams of college glory centered on national audience to The Diner's grilled playing basketball at Kentucky, where his While at Penn State, Blackledge also stickies with vanilla ice cream, the same father was the offensive line coach in the excelled in the classroom. The speech way he liked them as a student. mid-1970s. After his father moved on to communication major was an Academic a coaching position in Ohio, Blackledge– All-American and was inducted into Phi During the off-season, Blackledge serves who played basketball, baseball, and Beta Kappa honorary society as a junior. as head freshman coach and varsity assis- football in high school–focused on foot- He also received the Eric Walker Award, tant with the North Canton Hoover High ball as his future. A blue-chip recruit, he presented to a Penn State senior who School boy's basketball team. In spring narrowed the field to Michigan State, has most enhanced the esteem and 2008, he was one of the first former NFL