Patsy Strollo spent 13 years with the football program as a volunteer in the video scouting department.
Strollo, who was affectionately referred to as “Coach”, made weekly in-season highlight tapes and was responsible for the end-of-the-year banquet highlight video, carefully selecting the music for each video.
In the days before the Internet, Strollo made highlight tapes of student-athletes so they could send to their families who could not attend or watch games on a regular basis.
During the offseason, and in season as well, he viewed tapes that prospective recruits had sent hoping to become a member of the football program. His assessments were key for Coach Jim Tressel and his staff in evaluating the talent of individuals who had sent game film or highlight tapes to Youngstown State in hopes of joining the program.
He was an active member of the YSU coaching staff pacing on the sidelines both home and away. Strollo was one of the very few lucky individuals who was on the sidelines for every National Championship Game appearance in school history.
He was honored to work with Coach Tressel, the numerous assistant coaches and the support staff members within the Athletic Department.
Strollo also served as a listener, unofficial counselor and a role model for many student-athletes.
He began his volunteer duties in the Athletic Department in the early 1990s and assisted through the 2003 season.
Strollo and his family followed the Penguins around the country when his son, Ron, was a tight end for the program from 1988-91. YSU advanced to playoffs in 1989 and 1990 while winning the school’s first national championship in 1991 with his son serving as a team captain.
Growing up on Youngstown’s famed East Side, he was a graduate of East High School in the 1950s.
He went on to graduate from Youngstown State with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Social Studies. While attending YSU, he worked at Strouss Department Store to pay for his education.
Upon graduation, he worked at General Motors in Lordstown for nearly 30 years as an Industrial Engineer before retiring.
Coach passed away in February 2004, but a photo of him remains in the video area in the football offices to this day.
In his memory, the Patsy Strollo Scholarship Endowment is awarded every year to a worthy Youngstown State football student-athlete.
His wife Bev remains an avid supporter of YSU Athletics while his son, Ron, serves as the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. His daughter, Pennie, is a pharmacist and is married to YSU Sports Information Director Trevor Parks. His daughter-in-law Nicole will speak on his behalf today. He was very proud of his beloved grandchildren, Ryan and Rachel.
