Obituary of Edward M. Czekaj , 87

Edward M. Czekaj, 87, of State College, died peacefully Monday, Nov. 16, 2009, at The Atrium, Village at Penn State. He was born Dec. 19, 1921, in Mt. Pleasant.

He was a graduate of Ramsay High School where he played football and basketball. He attended George Washington University in 1943 before transferring to Penn State. As an undergraduate, he played varsity football and basketball in 1943, 1946, and 1947. During 1944 and 1945, Ed served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps seeing action in Guam, Okinawa, and China. He served his country again in 1951 and 1952 in Korea and achieved the rank of captain.

Ed then returned to Penn State and played tight end and place kicker on the Nittany Lion's unbeaten 1947 team which played in the historical 1948 Cotton Bowl. He received a BS degree in physical education from Penn State in 1948 and was then hired by Johns Hopkins University as a football and baseball coach from 1948 until 1951.

On Dec. 22, 1949, he married the former Virginia Gallup (PSU 1948 and cheerleader), of Port Allegany. Ed, once again, returned to Penn State in 1954 after being hired as graduate manager of athletics. In 1955, he became ticket manager and assistant business manager, and in 1957, was promoted to business manager. Ed was then named associate athletic director in 1967, and became athletic director in 1969. He continued as AD for the next 11 years.

He thoroughly enjoyed organizing and implementing many post season bowl trips and was highly respected by every bowl committee. Accomplishments during his tenure at Penn State included: President of the College Athletic Business Assoc. 1965, 1968 College Athletic Business Manager of the Year, member of numerous NCAA committees, member of the U.S. Gymnastics Federation Council, executive committee member of the National Assoc. of College Directors of Athletics, member of the board of directors of the College Football Assoc. and President of the major independents in division I football, served on the honors court and selection committee for the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame, was inducted into the Central PA Sports Hall of Fame in 1979, received the 1982 Hummel Fishburn Humanitarian award, Vice President of the Eastern College Athletic Conference, and President of the Eastern Intercollegiate Gymnastics League and Wrestling Assoc. and meet director for the NCAA Gymnastics and Wrestling Championships.

Following retirement from Penn State in 1982, Ed served as the northeastern representative for the Cotton Bowl selection committee for 10 years. Ed was an avid golfer, hunter, and fisherman, and in his "spare time" made numerous pheasant feather ties and hats. He was also known to maintain an "immaculate front yard" of his Park Hills home.

Ed was a member of Delta Upsilon Fraternity, Phi Epsilon Kappa, Skull and Bones, Centre Hills and Philipsburg Country Clubs, Penn State Golf Courses, VFW, American Legion, Our Lady of Victory Church followed by the Catholic Campus Ministry at PSU, and a lifetime member of the Penn State Alumni Assoc., Nittany Lion Club and Lettermans Club.

Most importantly, Ed was known and will always be remembered for his flashy sport coats and slacks and "blue and white" attire.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Caroline, six brothers and two sisters. In addition to his wife, Ginny, he is survived by his daughter, Leanne; son, Randy; and two grandchildren, Nicholas and Madison, all of State College. Also surviving are his younger brother, Leonard Czekaj and sister, Jen Etling, of Mt. Pleasant.

There will be a Memorial Mass at The Pasquerilla Spiritual Center on the Penn State Campus at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009. Burial will be private at the discretion of the family.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the PSU Nittany Lion Club or the Alzheimer's Association . Arrangements by Wetzler Funeral Service Inc., Bellefonte.