IUP Athletic Hall of Fame
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Paul Kovell, who ranks as one of the most prolific pass catchers in IUP history, was a major factor in the program’s emergence as a national power under coach Frank Cignetti.
Kovell graduated as the third-leading receiver in school history with 128 catches, the most among tight ends, good for 1,743 yards and 12 touchdowns. He still holds the No. 1 position among tight ends and ranks sixth overall. Kovell was a four-time All-PSAC West selection, earning first-team honors in 1989 and 1990.
During Kovell’s career, the Indians, as they were then known, posted a 41-9 record, the most wins in school history over any four-year period to that point, won three PSAC West titles and a PSAC championship, and made four appearances in the NCAA Division II playoffs, an achievement no previous IUP team had managed even once.
The 1989 squad posted the first two playoff victories in school history, beating Grand Valley (Mich.) State and Portland (Ore.) State, both on the road. Mississippi College halted IUP’s playoff march in the NCAA semifinals.
The 1990 Indians went a step further, becoming the first IUP football team to play for a national championship. North Dakota State prevailed in the nationally televised showdown in Florence, Ala., dropping IUP to a final record of 12-2—at that time the most wins in school history. Kovell set career highs with 39 receptions for 568 yards, highlighted by a big performance (five catches for 110 yards and a score) in a pivotal victory over Edinboro.
After graduation, he went to training camps with the Philadelphia Eagles and the Canadian Football League Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Kovell earned a criminology degree from IUP in 1991. He works out of Pittsburgh as a medical sales manager for the Salt Lake City company BioFire Diagnostics.
Kovell resides in Upper St. Clair with his wife, Tracey. They have two sons, Gunnar, 19, and Wyatt, 17.
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