Indiana University of Pennsylvania Athletics

Many coaches and others, associated with athletics attach special significance to the word "contributing” when they extend accolades to players or colleagues. They use it sparingly.
 
But there is no doubt those associated with David Connolly quickly employ the word in describing him as one who always found ways to assist others around him in gaining deserved spotlights while not always finding one for himself.
Take his choice of football position, for example. Offensive tackle (and sometimes guard). It's a truism that linemen seldom get the attention they deserve, largely no doubt because it's difficult to measure just what they do. Others earn the stats.
 
In Connolly's case, the "other'' was 1997 Hall of Fame inductee Larry Monsilovich, one of the Indians' all-time great running backs. Those in the know (perhaps most of all Monsilovich himself) attributed many of the yards he gained to Connolly's blocking abilities.
 
Justifiably, Connolly did receive credit, becoming an NAIA All-American honorable mention, first-team All Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference pick, and second-team All-Pennsylvania (a roster selected by the AP/ Associated Press that included both Division I and ·'small-college" stars), all in 1971.
 
Nine years later, after having played for coaches Chuck Klausing as a sophomore and Bill Neal as junior and senior, he was remembered by voters selecting an IUP All- Eighties team as the Indians' best of the decade at his position.
 
As of 1972, he had returned to alma mater Keystone Oaks High School in Dormont, to begin a career as football and wrestling coach, then athletic director, as well as social studies teacher and guidance counselor, having completed a master's degree in guidance and counseling at Duquesne University. He was also a 10-year Little League softball team manager.
 
After passing away at the age of 42 in 1992, Connolly is survived by wife Trudy, who he married in 1974, and daughters Jessica, 22, a 1998 Carnegie Mellon graduate, and Jennifer, 20, a junior at Duquesne.