IUP Athletic Hall of Fame
Larry Panaia was a four-time letterman in both football and baseball at IUP in addition to being a coach on the football staff for 14 years.
An offensive guard and kicker, Panaia earned the moniker ''the kicker who put the foot back into IUP football” from a local sportswriter. In 1962 he hit for 94 percent accuracy on extra points and scored 25 points in 1963, including a field goal that produced a 17-14 win over Albright.
As a catcher in baseball. Panaia caught five games in two days during the 1964 NAIA Area 8 tournament and was named to the all-tourney squad. The Indians lost the title game to eventual national champion West Liberty League pitcher Joe Niekro. In 1965, he was the co-captain of the baseball team.
Panaia joined the football coaching staff in 1970 and was named the head coach of the freshman team in 1972. He also served as the varsity's defensive line coach from 1973-82 and returned to the staff in 1986.
A graduate of Ambridge High School, Panaia earned both his undergraduate and master's degree from IUP.
A 1996 recipient of IUP Distinguished Alumni Award. Panaia served on the board of directors of the IUP Alumni Association from 1978-92. He was also on the board of directors for the Foundation for IUP and was board president from 1994-96, leading a capital campaign that generated $25 million. He has been a member of the Presidential Athletic Advisory Committee since 1986.
A five-year veteran of the U.S. Army, Panaia earned the rank of captain and served in Vietnam. He received the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service during the Tet Offensive and is also a Bronze Star recipient. Panaia taught history and civics at Indiana Area Junior High School from 1970-77. He retired from QSP/Reader's Digest in 2006 after holding positions as both district and regional manager.
Panaia and his wife Carole are the parents of Carla, Lorri, and Tamara. The couple has four grandchildren.
