Pitt fills vacant post with former Panther football player

Pitt’s athletics department announced yesterday that Penny Semaia, a four-time letterwinner as… Pitt’s athletics department announced yesterday that Penny Semaia, a four-time letterwinner as a lineman on Pitt’s football team, has been hired to fill the position of Career and Life Skills Coordinator for Student Athletes.

The New York native was chosen for the newly created post by Pitt’s Senior Associate Athletics Director, Donna Sanft, based largely on the strong character and leadership skills he demonstrated on and off the field while at Pitt.

“As a student athlete, Penny was a leader, a great relationship builder and positive representative of the University,” Sanft said on www.pittsburghpanthers.com. “He brings the same passion, energy, charisma, integrity and warmth that enabled him to be a successful undergraduate student to his professional endeavors.”

Semaia, who played at Pitt from 2000-2003, played on both sides of Pitt’s line in his four-year career, leading the Panthers to a bowl game every year. After a short hiatus, during which he worked in Pitt’s Office of Admissions and Financial Aid, serving as the coordinator of the Freshman Peer Counselor program, as well as a financial aid advisor, admission counselor and PittStart Parent coordinator, he returned to the football sidelines as a reporter for the Pitt Football Radio Network before his recent appointment.

In his new position, Semaia will assist student athletes and alumni with career planning and coordinate the Panther Game Plan Life Skills program, which is aimed at providing support for Pitt’s student athletes in the areas of academics, outreach and career development.

His primary duties will include assisting with internships and job-searching strategies, coordinating workshops and programs, developing job search resources and establishing contacts with employers and faculty. His personality and strong character will also be used to help build the University’s Panther Game Plan Life Skills program in personal development, community service and leadership.

He graduated from Pitt in 2003 with a degree in anthropology with additional studies in sociology and theater. His appointment comes as no surprise, however, when his previous involvement in school organizations are brought to light.

While a student at Pitt, he served on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee for three years, filling the positions of secretary, vice president and president as the years progressed.

The SAAC’s main purpose, according to its Web site is to “Provide a reliable contact and liaison between the University of Pittsburgh athletic department and the varsity athletic teams that represent the University of Pittsburgh.” The committee typically brings the opinions and concerns of the student-athletes to the attention of the Athletic Directors and other administrators.

Semaia’s involvement has not been limited to athletic organizations, however. He served as the secretary of the Asian Student Association as an undergraduate, and he was also a member of the Black Action Society. Not only was he a Freshman Peer Counselor for three years, but Semaia was even elected Homecoming King.

“As a young man who sought out diverse challenges and experiences and stood up to act as a leader among his peers as an undergraduate, Penny is a perfect fit to lead our Panther Game Plan Life Skills program,” Sanft said.