Garofano earns honor

Dan Garofano did not know MacMurray College even had an athletics hall of fame when he graduated in 1994.

It was a point easily missed, as the Highlander hall had inducted just three classes when he finished his standout career as a football and baseball player at the NCAA Div. III school in Jacksonville, Ill.

On Sunday, Garofano, 31, a Springstead High graduate and physical education teacher at Fox Chapel Middle, will be inducted with five others into his alma mater's 15th hall of fame class.

"All I knew when I left was I got to play baseball and football four more years," Garofano said. "I knew I enjoyed it."

Garofano, a four-year letterman in both sports, left MacMurray as the school's all-time triples leader (11) and third in career stolen bases (57). He was named all-conference twice in baseball (was NCAA All-Region Honorable Mention in 1992) and once in football.

Garofano did not know the school existed until Bill Browning, then his football coach at Springstead, suggested he was good enough to play beyond high school.

Garofano was an All-Gulf Coast Conference selection and named to the Times' All-North Suncoast squad as a second-team defensive back in 1989 when he had 4 interceptions, 3 fumble recoveries and 5 pass deflections. He was named all-conference in baseball.

"(Browning) went to Illinois State and that's only an hour and a half from MacMurray," Garofano said. "I received some letters and went up for a visit and just liked it and stayed.

"I had never even thought about playing college football," he said. "I thought I would go to a bigger school and play baseball. Growing up in Florida, I had never heard of a Div. II or III school."

Garofano's father, Vincent, mother, Marie, and youngest sister, Lauren, 18, will be among his entourage for the drive to Jacksonville. One of the stipulations of induction was appearing at the ceremony.

MacMurray's most recognizable athletic alum is Miami Dolphins kicker Olindo Mare.

"I'm just thrilled because I know how hard (Garofano) worked," Marie Garofano said.

"I remember when he was in high school and wrestled at Springstead. He would wrap himself in garbage bags and go sit in the attic to make weight. I would just be downstairs praying because I knew how hot it was up there.

"He was just very dedicated," she said.

And now, enshrined.

CENTRAL FLORIDA: Sophomore fullback Dee Brown (Hernando) is second among the Golden Knights (3-2) with 89 rushing yards. He has one touchdown rushing and another receiving. Brown has eight receptions for 85 yards.

USF: Senior defensive end Chris Daley (Hernando) is ninth among Bulls with 21 tackles and co-leads with two fumble recoveries. He has one sack for the 4-2 Bulls.

Junior wide receiver Huey Whittaker (Springstead) is third among South Florida players with 188 receiving yards. He has one touchdown and is averaging 37.6 yards per reception.

BETHUNE-COOKMAN: Redshirt freshman linebacker Jerry Daniels (Central) has 4 tackles and 2 sacks in 4 games for the Wildcats (6-0).

CHOWMAN: Junior wide receiver Jimmy Sterling (Central) has three catches for 57 yards for the Braves (0-5).

HIRAM: Freshman linebacker Dan Raddish (Springstead) has 27 tackles and an interception for the 0-5 Terriers.

EASTERN KENTUCKY: Freshman linebacker Steve Cassell (Hernando) has been redshirted, and freshman Willie Winslett (Central) is sitting out this season as a Prop 48 case.

Brant James can be reached at (800) 333-7505, ext. 1407. Send e-mail to brant@sptimes.com .

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