Conwell opts for Arizona
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Dakota Conwell was set to play college football in his backyard. Instead, he will play halfway across the country.
Conwell, a standout senior quarterback-linebacker at Upper St. Clair, said Monday he had made a verbal commitment to the University of Arizona after visiting the school this weekend. He had committed to Pitt last summer but began having second thoughts when Todd Graham left as coach.
Conwell will play outside linebacker at Arizona. He was recruited by Arizona assistant coach Tony Gibson , who also recruited Conwell for Pitt when he was an assistant under Graham.
"I was 100 percent committed to Pitt with the last staff," said Conwell, a two-time Post-Gazette Fabulous 22 selection. "It's nothing against the new staff now, but right when coach Graham left, coach Gibson called me and let me know Arizona was really interested. Coach Gibson and some of that [Arizona] staff have been recruiting me since the beginning, and that meant a lot to me because they knew my talents.
"I know it's far away, but I'm a person who likes new challenges. I'll always love Pittsburgh. I was born and raised here. But getting a chance to play out there, you don't get that many opportunities like that in life."
• The PIAA has ruled Ryan Lewis eligible to play basketball at Montour this season. Lewis, a senior, transferred from North Catholic to Montour in the spring, but the WPIAL and PIAA ruled him ineligible for all sports, saying he transferred for athletic intent. He played football and basketball at North Catholic. Lewis appealed the decision to the WPIAL again, asking if he could be eligible for basketball. The WPIAL again ruled against him, but the PIAA overturned the decision Friday.
• The PIAA overturned the WPIAL in another ruling, saying Tyler Alt is eligible for basketball at Quaker Valley. The WPIAL had ruled him ineligible, saying he transferred from Greensburg Central Catholic after football season for athletic reasons.
First Published January 17, 2012 12:00 am
