Matt Hogg, a former Youngstown State All-American offensive lineman, will take over as President of the YSU Football Alumni Group.

Hogg played for the Penguins from 1994 through 1997. He was a consensus All-America selection in 1997 as the Guins posted a 13-2 record and won their fourth FCS Championship in school history.

"Thank you to the YSU Athletic Department and especially the football alumni including Randy Barker who founded and ran the Alumni Football Club," Hogg said. "I am really excited to take a leadership role in support of the football program. So many things in my life I owe to my time at YSU and I look forward to serving the group. I came in as a partial scholarship guy after not having many offers to play anywhere else. I was incredibly fortunate to have been given the opportunity to play at YSU. It was huge blessing."

Long-time President Randy Barker, who has been involved with the Football Alumni Group since its creation in early the 2000s, was honored to serve as President and took great satisfaction in the growth of the organization. Barker along with Angelo Pezzuolo, Ned Mervos, Frank Beck, Don McCloud and others were among the founding members of the organization.

"I really believe that playing a team sport gives you work habits that cannot be taught in the classroom. Therefore, I feel grateful that I had the opportunity to play football at Youngstown State University and truly believe my success in life is directly related to that experience," Barker said. "With that said, being President of the Football Alumni Group allowed me to give back a small portion of the life lessons learned while playing football at Youngstown State. It also allowed me to stay in contact with past and present-day coaches and players which in turn makes you feel a sense of pride and accomplishment on gameday."

Under Barker's direction the group was able to provide more than $160,000 in scholarship support to YSU football student-athletes. From its modest beginnings, funds generated from the Football Alumni Group now stand near $400,000.

Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Ron Strollo said Barker's leadership was important in making sure the Football Alumni Group has continued to grow throughout the years.

"Randy was a key part of the original group that had the vision to make this organization a success," Strollo said. "He played a huge role in making the group strong and creating ways to raise money to assist our student-athletes. He will always be a Penguin and we look to build on the great work he has done."

Former Head Coach Jim Tressel said now is the time for all past Penguins to get involved in the Football Alumni Group.

"Coach (Doug) Phillips is doing a great job making sure all football Penguins feel included in the program," Tressel said. "We have a tremendous history and YSU football means so much to so many. With the opportunities available to student-athletes now, we are hopeful many players from all eras get involved and continue to support this great university and program."

Hogg mentioned he has already been focusing on ways to activate the group and plans to work on getting as many former Penguins as possible involved to help make an impact on current and future student-athletes.

"I've spent quite a bit of time over the last several months working to understand the needs of Football Alumni and the needs of the football program," he said. "What's clear is things are changing. If I had to sum up what I envision for the group its connectivity. We are at a pivotal point with the football program. Coach Phillips has done a great job of building momentum. This past year was a big improvement with a playoff appearance and a win. I want to help build that connection between the alumni and the program to help him continue that momentum. Additionally, we are going to work hard connect football alumni with each other. Whether you played in the 60's, 90's or 2000s, we all have a common, shared experience of playing football as a Penguin. Our primary goal is to help the football program but we also have an opportunity to support and help each other." 

Those interested in joining the Football Alumni Group can contact Tom Morella at tmorella@ysu.edu or former Penguin Colt McFadden at crmcfadden@ysu.edu for membership information.

The Football Alumni Group will play host to the Ned Mervos Football Alumni Golf Outing on May 17 at Youngstown Country Club.