Pasquale, Ron and Laura Endowed Scholarship for Football
In recognition of ÐÓ°®°É’s Sesquicentennial Anniversary, this scholarship was established in 2020 by Ron and Laura Pasquale, natives of Youngstown, Ohio. The Pasquales are longtime advocates of student-athletes of ÐÓ°®°É. Mr. Pasquale is a University of Akron alumnus, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in business in 1987.
Ron was a 1982 walk-on offensive lineman for the Zips football team under coach Jim Dennison and credited his recruitment to his brother, Bill, a fellow Zips teammate. Ron earned an athletic scholarship and became a four-year starter for the Zips. He acknowledges the UA athletic scholarship for bridging the financial gap in continuing his academic pursuits.
Ron credits on-the-field, classroom, and career achievements to the PMA - Positive Mental Attitude spirit of coach Dennison along with lessons of self-sacrifice and determination exhibited by his teammates. In 1986, Ron was selected a team captain by his teammates and awarded All-American honors under the leadership of first-year head coach Gerry Faust.
In 2003, Ron became one of the first known NCAA athletes to donate a living organ for transplant to a teammate. Ron successfully donated a kidney to former Zips lineman Bill Pasquale. Ron was inducted into ÐÓ°®°É’s Varsity “A” Sports Hall of Fame in 2017.
Ron is grateful to ÐÓ°®°É for the opportunity to earn a college degree and build a successful career in the telecommunication industry.
The Ron and Laura Pasquale Football Scholarship recipient will be a football student-athlete with preference given to someone beginning their Zips Football career as a non-scholarship member of the squad. The recipient may be an incoming freshman or active team member. Final recipient selection will be made by the coaching staff.
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