PSU Fathers & Sons (& more)
The First Family of Penn State Football—
The Higgins-Suhey family which dates to 1914 on the roster is regarded as the “First Family of Penn State Football”. Bob Higgins who was an All-American End for the Nittany Lions (1914-16, 1919) and later the Head Coach (1930-48) sits atop a family tree that has seen four different generations suit-up for State over the course of nearly a century—Father to Sons-in-law to Grandsons to Great Grandsons.
Steve Suhey RG (1942, 1946-47) played for Bob Higgins’ and married his daughter Virginia (“Ginger”) and that produced Larry Suhey FB (1973-76), Paul Suhey LB/TE (1975-78), and Matt Suhey FB (1976-79). This is the group that was honored with a Beaver Stadium Pictorial cover for the 1979 game with Army (see photo below). There is also a slightly lesser recalled branch of the tree that saw a second son-in-law marry into the family, Jim Dooley, Jr. C/LB (1950-52) played for Rip Engle and married Higgins’ daughter Nancy, and that produced a fourth Higgins grandson on the PSU roster, Jim Dooley III DE (1978-80).
The Higgins-Suhey tree extended another generation into the 21st Century with two great grandsons on the Penn State roster. Paul’s son, Kevin Suhey QB/Special Teams (2005-07) & Matt’s son, Joe Suhey FB (2007-11). All 4 of the Higgins grandsons and both great grandsons played for Joe Paterno.
The ‘Coach Father’/’Player Son’ Connections—
Joe Paterno (Head Coach 1966-2011/Asst. Coach 1950-65)—Jay Paterno QB (1986-90/Asst. Coach-QB Coach 1995-2011)
Larry Johnson, Sr. (Defensive Line Coach 1996-2013)—Larry Johnson, Jr. TB (1998-2002) & Tony Johnson WR (2000-03)
Nick Gasparato (Offensive Line Coach 1980-81, 1984-86)—Mike Gasparato TB (2000-04)—see “Three Stories” at bottom
Frank Rocco, Sr. (Asst. Coach/Director of FB Operations 1982-2000)—Frank Rocco QB (1978-81/Grad Asst. 1982), Dan Rocco CB/S/Hero (1979-81/Transferred to Wake Forest/PSU Analyst 2022), & David Rocco TE (1994/career ended by injury)—Dan Rocco is also father of David Rocco (PSU Offensive Analyst 2024)
Bob Shoop (Defensive Coordinator 2014-15)—Tyler Shoop WR (2015-18)
Ja’Juan Seider (Running Backs Coach/Co-Offensive Coordinator 2018-24)—Jaden Seider S (2019-22)
Justin Lustig (Special Teams Coordinator 2024-present)—Hank Lustig WR (2026-present)
Several PSU Coach-Son combinations are also Player-Player combos—see next section
Bob Higgins (1915 photo below) is seen sitting in between 2 teammates, and is also seen in circular inset on BSP cover below
Fathers & Sons who played at Penn State (1930’s to present)—
Fathers of the 30’s/40’s—
Hugh E. Rodham E (1934)—Hugh Rodham DB/QB (1970)—Father & brother of Hilary Rodham Clinton—see “Three Stories” at bottom
Steve Suhey (1942, 1946-47/son-in-law of Bob Higgins) RG—Larry Suhey FB (1973-76), Paul Suhey LB (1975-78) & Matt Suhey FB (1976-79)—Larry, Paul, & Matt are 3 of 4 grandsons of Bob Higgins to play for PSU (also Paul & Matt each had a son play at Penn State)
Elwood Petchel LHB (1944-48)—Woody Petchel TB (1972-75)—Elwood coached Woody at Pen Argyl HS (Woody was one of the first True Freshmen ever to play for Paterno under the new 1972 eligibility rules)
Joe Drazenovich G (1947-49)—Andy Drazenovich DB/C/LS (1975-78)—Andy was also nephew of Chuck Drazenovich QB (1945, 1947-49)
Note 1: Bill “Rip” Scherer HB (1945-1948) was the grandfather of Ryan Scherer WR (2009-11)—Bill’s son, also called Rip, was a PSU Grad Assistant in 1974 & 1975
Note 2: Thomas “Pop” Ellwood G (1922-1923) was great grandfather of John Petrishen S (2015-18/transferred to Pitt)—Petrishen’s great uncle was Bill “Pop” Ellwood RT (1937-38)
Fathers of the 50’s—
Jim Dooley, Jr. C/LB (1950-52/son-in-law of Bob Higgins)—Jim Dooley III DE (1978-1980/grandson of Bob Higgins-same as Larry, Paul, & Matt Suhey)
Roosevelt “Rosey” Grier T (1951-54)—Roosevelt Kennedy Grier LB (1991)
Jim Garrity RE/K (1952-54)—Gregg Garrity SE (1979-82)—Jim is also grandfather of Gregg Garrity WR/Punt Returner (2013-16)
Jim Hochberg QB (1953-55/later Sports Medicine Coordinator)—Jeff Hochberg LB (1980-83)
John Bruno HB (1954-56)—John Bruno P (1982-86)—both wore #11 at Penn State
Ron Markiewicz HB/E (1955-57)—Joe Markiewicz WR/SE/FL (1986-89)
Dave Truitt E (1958-1960)—Gregg Truitt LS/Hero (1984-88)
Fathers of the 60’s—
Dick Anderson E (1960-63/longtime Asst. Coach under Paterno)—Jeff Anderson LB/TE (1987-91)
Jerry Sandusky DE (1963-65/longtime Asst. Coach/DC under Paterno)— EJ Sandusky T/C (1988-92) & Jon Sandusky S/Hero (1996-99)—both sons were adopted
Ed Lenda OT/DT (1964-66)—Tyler Lenda TE/G (1998-2002)
Rich Buzin OG/OT (1965-67)—Mike Buzin NT/DT/TE (1994-98)
John Kulka OT/C (1966-68)—Todd Kulka LB (1992-1995/later Assoc. Director Academic Support Services)
Bob Campbell HB (1966-68)—Ryan Pinckney LB (1999-2002)—Ryan is Campbell’s stepson
Charlie Pittman HB (1967-69)—Tony Pittman S/CB (1990-94)—The Pittmans wrote the book “Playing for PATERNO”—The two combined to play on 3 of Joe’s undefeated teams (1968, 1969, & 1994)
Pete Johnson LB/TE (1967-69)—Tim Johnson LB (2000-2003)
Fran Ganter FB (1968-70/longtime Asst. Coach/OC under Paterno)—Chris Ganter QB (2001-04) & Jason Ganter S/Hero (2003-07)
Vic Surma OT (1968-70)—Vic Surma WR (2002-05)
Dave Joyner OT (1969-71/later PSU Athletic Director)—Andrew Joyner WR (1992-94) & Matt Joyner S/Hero (1994-98)
Frank Ahrenhold DT (1969-71)—Tyler Ahrenhold WR/S (2007-2010)
Fathers of the 70’s—
Bob Rickenbach OT/TE (1970-72)—Eric Rickenbach OG/C/OT (1998-2002)
Tom Hull LB (1971-73)—Mike Hull LB (2010-2014)—Brother/Uncle: John Hull TE/PK (1970-71)
Tom Williams, Sr. DE (1972-74)—Tom Williams, Jr. FB/LB (1997-2001) & Casey Williams TE (1999-2003)—Brother/Uncle: Frank Williams LB (1971-72)
Kevin Hart DE (1973-1976)—Mike Hart QB (2004-06)—Kevin Hart is the brother-in-law of Iowa Head Coach Kirk Ferentz
Bruce Ellis FL/SE/WR (1973-76)—Keaton Ellis S (2019-23)
George Reihner OG/OT (1973-76)—Kevin Reihner RG (2015/transferred from Stanford)—Brother/Uncle: John Reihner LB/TE/PK (1972-74)
Rich Mauti WB/SE/FL (1974-76/transferred from Nassau Community College)—Patrick Mauti WR (2005-09) & Michael Mauti LB (2008-2012)
Mickey Shuler, Sr. TE (1974-77)—Mickey Shuler, Jr. TE (2005-2009)
Paul Suhey LB (1975-78)—Kevin Suhey QB/Special Teams (2005-07)—Kevin is a great grandson of Bob Higgins
Matt Suhey FB (1976-79)—Joe Suhey FB (2007-2011)—Joe is a great grandson of Bob Higgins
Mike Guman TB/DB (1976-79)—Andrew Guman FS/Hero (2001-2004)
Rich “Tom” Tomasetti LB (1976)—Brian Tomasetti RB/DB (2013-15)
Steve Stupar DT (1976-79)—Nate Stupar LB (2007-2011)—Nate’s uncles: Ron Hostetler LB/Hero (1973-77), Doug Hostetler QB/Hero (1974-78) & Jeff Hostetler QB (1979-80/transferred to WVU)
Tom Wise DB/SE (1977-80)—Brent Wise WR/CB (2003-05)
Leo Wisniewski LB/DT (1978-1981)—Stefen Wisniewski C/OG (2007-2010)—Brother/Uncle: Steve Wisniewski OG (1985-88)
Ed Pryts LB (1978-1981)—Jackson Pryts LB (2022-25)
Gregg Garrity SE (1979-82)—Gregg Garrity WR/Punt Returner (2013-2016)—Father/Grandfather: Jim Garrity RE/K (1952-54)
Curt Warner TB (1979-82)—Jonathan Warner WR (2012-13/departed PSU after spring practice 2014)
Fathers of the 80’s—
Mike Zordich S/Hero (1982-85)—Michael Zordich FB (2008-2012)
Dan Delligatti DE/LB (1982-84)—Nick Delligatti LB (2009-2010)—see “Three Stories” at bottom
Brian Chizmar LB/DB (1986-89)—Max Chizmar LB (2017-2021) & Ben Chizmar LB (2021-24)—both Max & Ben made their PS debuts vs. Kent State-Max in 2018, Ben in 2024
Terry Smith WR/FL (1987-91/later Assoc. HC, CB Coach & Interim Head Coach)—Justin King WR/CB (2005-07)—Justin is Terry’s stepson—Note: Terry Smith is the uncle of Tank Smith RB (2020-23) & Tikey Hayes RB (2025/transferred to Iowa Western)—Terry is also the cousin of Marques Henderson CB/Hero/S (1984-87)
Leonard Humphries CB (1988-91)—Isaiah Humphries S (2018/transferred to Cal 2019 & Louisiana-Monroe 2022)
Todd Rucci DT/OT (1988-1992)—Nolan Rucci OT (2024-25)—Nolan transferred from Wisconsin where he played 2021-23
Richie Anderson TB (1989-92)—Richy Anderson WR (2013/departed PSU after spring practice 2014)
Fathers of the 90’s—
Joe Nastasi SE/FL/Kick Holder (1994-98)—Donte Nastasi WR (2024-26/State College HS grad/transferred from Wagner)
LaVar Arrington LB (1997-99)—LaVar Arrington II LB (2025-26)—both would wear the coveted #11 Stix City jersey
Mike Lukac TE/FB (1999-2003)—Jake Lukac LB (2026-present)
Fathers of the 2000’s—
Still to Come!!!
Cross Sports Fathers & Sons (& Daughters)—
Gary Wydman (PS QB/HB 1961-64)—father of PSU basketball player Steve Wydman (1991-94)
Joe Jurevicius (PS SE/FL 1993-1997)—father of PSU Women’s Volleyball players Caroline Jurevicius (Opposite Hitter 2024-26) who transferred to PS after redshirt season at Nebraska in 2023 and played on the legendary 2024 National Championship team & Ava Jurevicius (Libero 2025-26) who committed to PSU as a walk-on in Nov. 2024
Kim Herring (PS TB/S 1993-1996)—father of PSU Women’s Gymnast Amani Herring (2023-2026)
Ron Coder (PSU Soccer GK 1948-50)—Pre-NCAA National Champs in 1950—won Jan. 1951 Soccer Bowl, 3-1 over Purdue and claimed title—also participated in PSU team goodwill tour of Iran in Spring 1951—father of PSU football player Ron Coder (TE/OG/DT 1972-75)
Three Penn State Father-Son Stories:
The Gasparatos—
Nick Gasparato (PS OL coach 1980-81 & 1984-86) was the father of Mike Gasparato (TB 2000-2004). Mike was born on Dec. 30, 1981, in Scottsdale, Arizona just two days ahead of the 1982 Fiesta Bowl vs. USC. His mother made the trip to the desert because she thought Mike would not be born until well after the bowl game. Surprise!
Mike Gasparato is best remembered as Larry Johnson’s backup during the 2K rushing season in 2002. Mike’s final big moment for the Nittany Lions came on a 22-yard TD run in the 37-13 win vs. Central Florida in 2004, on which he suffered a bad ankle sprain that would ultimately end his career.
The Delligattis—
Dan Delligatti (DE/LB 1982-84) and his son Nick Delligatti (LB 2009-10) are the grandson and great grandson of Jim Delligatti who is best remembered for inventing the “Big Mac” for McDonald’s. Jim originally created the “Big Mac” for his Uniontown McDonald’s location in 1967 to please customers who wanted a larger burger. It went national in 1968. Jim opened his first McDonalds in 1957 and would soon operate 47 locations in the greater Pittsburgh area. He also co-founded the Pittsburgh Ronald McDonald House in 1979.
Dan Delligatti would eventually join the family McDonald’s business and was appointed to the PSU Board of Trustees in 2017 by then Gov. Tom Wolf.
The Rodhams—
Hugh E. Rodham (End 1934) and Hugh Rodham (DB/QB 1970) are the father & brother of former First Lady and US Senator Hilary Rodham Clinton (D-NY). In 1934, the elder Rodham was a senior reserve end and made appearances in some games that fall to earn his only letter.
Hilary’s brother Hugh was listed as a junior DHB on the 1970 Penn State roster although he did make a brief appearance as a QB in the season opening blowout win over Navy where he rushed once for 1 yard per the Collegian (or 2 yards per the Football Letter) in mop-up duty behind the 3 QBs on the depth chart (Mike Cooper, Bob Parsons, & John Hufnagel). He did not letter at PSU and that was the full extent of his stats. Sue Paterno told a story at a dinner party in February 2020 that a “sizeable donation” was made to ensure that young Hugh had a spot on the football team, but “it did not guarantee playing time”.
Nittany Numbers:
Interestingly, the Rodhams wore two of the now legendary jersey numbers during their time at Penn State… The elder Hugh was assigned #22 in 1934 whenever the Nittany Lions wore all-white. Otherwise, he was seen with #69 in blue… As for the younger Hugh Rodham, he was assigned #11 per the 1970 roster, in part, likely due to his potential dual role as a quarterback and defensive back…
