A Promise Kept: Chaz Powell Finishes His Degree at Penn State

Chaz Powell made a promise to Joe Paterno when he committed to Penn State.

Paterno preached education to his players, citing the opportunity to attend such a fine university and receive a quality education.

These words stuck with the former Nittany Lion standout, and from that moment on, he committed himself to accomplishing that goal: to earn his degree from Penn State University.

Powell is forever engrained in Penn State lore, remembered by his explosive prowess in the kick return game. Game-changing plays like his 100 yard kick return against Youngstown State — the longest such return for the Lions since Rich Mauti accomplished the feat against Temple in 1975 — made him a valuable asset for Joe Paterno’s Nittany Lions, and helped put him on NFL radars.

After a senior season in which only a semester’s worth of coursework stood between Powell and a degree, a decision had to be made. Pursue the degree, or take a shot at the NFL? The opportunity to play at the NFL level only comes once in a lifetime, and Powell knew that he couldn’t let the chance pass. The price, however, came at the expense of his criminal justice degree, as he’d have to devote that spring semester preparing for the upcoming NFL Draft.

Though he wasn’t selected, he was signed by the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent, but failed to make it past the final wave of cuts.

“I came to Penn State to play for Coach Paterno and attend school at a great University. He always preached to us that you need to go to class and get your degree because football is not going to last forever. And he was right,” Powell said.

After being cut by the Raiders, Powell made it his goal to fulfill the promise he made to his coach, but on the day he completed the necessary paperwork required to re-enroll at Penn State, the Green Bay Packers came calling. This time he made it past final cuts, and embarked on a three-year NFL career playing for the Packers and the New York Giants.

But, as he learned from both his former coach and personal experiences as an ambitious rookie, the NFL is a cruel business. Football simply wouldn’t last forever.

After a call from Todd Kulka, Penn State’s Assistant Director, Football Academic Support Services and Academic Counselor, Powell again shifted his priorities. Kulka read his audit, and asked if the Fall 2015 semester would work to complete his degree. Powell agreed, working tirelessly to return to school and make good on his promise. But it didn’t come easily. Holding a regular job as a plumber in the York area, Powell routinely made the two-hour commute to Penn State every Thursday from 6-9:30 p.m. as he worked to complete the remaining four credits of Stat 200 he needed in order to graduate.

16 weeks later, Powell is set to earn his criminal justice degree at the commencement ceremony on Saturday at the Bryce Jordan Center. Despite the 220-mile round trip journey, early work hours, and task of balancing school work with a day job, Powell kept his word.

“I was gifted enough to play in the NFL for three years, with a couple practice squad opportunities here and there,” Powell said. “But like Coach Paterno said, football didn’t last forever. And I learned that having your college degree can take you anywhere in the world. It will mean a lot to me.”

Powell wants to eventually work in law enforcement, but is well on his way to receiving professional certification as a plumber. Regardless of what path Powell chooses, he’ll be successful, and he attributes that to his dedication and commitment that Coach Paterno helped instill during his time on the football team.

“My mom is really excited about it,” Powell said. “It’s going to be a big accomplishment for me and a big relief to have my degree in hand.”

Powell will join 14 football student-athletes on the graduation stage this weekend, all of whom will finally receive the title they’ve dreamed of earning: Penn State alumnus. Powell may have been fortunate enough to play professionally on Sundays, but the distinction of Penn State alumnus goes far beyond football; it’s about life.

“Once you are given the opportunity to go out there and showcase what you can do, it just proves that anyone can do it, no matter if you are from a small town or not,” Powell said. “There are so many alums in this world from Penn State, and it really felt like a family to me when I was here. I was only two hours from home, so my family got to come watch me play. Now, it will be a big relief off my shoulders and something that means a lot to me come Saturday.”