Alumni Spotlight – Chaz Powell ‘07

The media has programmed us to see public-figure athletes only in terms of charts, and graphs. As to former Warrior Chaz Powell – facing the 2012 NFL draft with legitimate optimism – it should, therefore, be only about combined results, career stats, and scouting service rankings. But for those who know Chaz and his remarkable journey from inner-city Baltimore to big-college football prominence, there is a remarkable story that cannot be told in numbers.

His early childhood was spent with his parents and two sisters. His mother had a good job at Johns Hopkins University Hospital and the family was on the way to attaining the American dream. Then everything came apart. Chaz’s mother, Chevon, began drinking, which led to a marijuana habit, then pills, and finally a debilitating crack cocaine addiction. His father left home and Chevon’s first try at rehabilitation failed. By 1998 the family was on the verge of homelessness and Chaz was doomed to the fate of so many in his situation.

Then his mother, facing criminal theft charges, was assigned to probation at New Life for Girls in York County, and soon after, everything changed. Chevon was so successful in the program that she became a staff member there and, in 2004, was asked to help run the New Life program in Glen Rock. With this came Chaz’s enrollment in Southern School District and the discovery of his amazing athletic potential, which developed into prominent roles in Warrior basketball, track, and football programs.

But his real passion was football. There he found the opportunity to work hard for something, drawing inspiration from his mother’s battle – and her remarkable success. “I don’t know if Chaz would be where he’s at without seeing his mom go through that,” said his former football coach and mentor Tom Waranavage.

His hard work and perseverance against overwhelming odds were also observed by his basketball coach, Wayne McCullough. “I’ll never forget him asking me to open the weight room every morning at 6 am, instead of just three days each week,” McCullough said. “His extraordinary work ethic is part of it, but I believe it is his innate will to be the best that makes Chaz unique.”

His efforts paid off on the football field, and by his senior year, he had drawn statewide and national attention. He was York-Adams League Player of the Year, rushed more than 1,000 yards, scored 16 touchdowns, and added 400 receiving yards (with an ankle injury.) He was rated by Rivals.com, a prominent scouting combine, as the number two prep prospect in Pennsylvania, named first-team all-state, and played in the U.S. Army national prep all-star game. His performance and potential earned him an athletic scholarship at Penn State.

But as is the case with many freshman phenoms, his storybook journey hit a bump in the road when he arrived in Happy Valley, where everyone was a star athlete. Ironically because of his versatility, the program could not decide where to play him. After a red-shirt freshman year, he saw some backfield and kick-off returning action as a sophomore. His all-purpose yard gain was second highest on the team, and by the 2008 Rose Bowl, he had earned a spot as regular on special teams.

In his junior season, he was removed from the backfield and asked to learn a wide-receiver’s role, where he ended the season fourth in total yardage on a team loaded with outstanding wide-outs. He continued to grow as a kick-off returner and ended the season ranked ninth in the Big Ten.

But the coaching staff was still struggling to find him a permanent role. For Head Coach Joe Paterno, Chaz was too good to keep off the field. The challenge was finding the spot where his talent could be best used. His senior year meant a starting role as wide receiver, but then a mid-season change to cornerback. Overcoming the difficulty of learning a new position in mid-year, he ended 2010 tied for the team lead in pass break-ups. As kick-off returner, he was ranked fourth in the Big Ten.

In his final year as a red-shirt senior, Chaz had found his place in the Penn State line-up – starting cornerback and kick returning specialist. He was now a regular defensive starter, received honorable mention on the Big Ten All Star Team as a cornerback (by both the Big Ten coach’s association and the media), and was honored as a Big Ten special teams player of the week. (Click here to see an electrifying Powell kick-off return.)  

His collegiate career highlight was being named the 2011 recipient of the team’s John Bruno Award for special team play. Chaz leaves his mark in the Nittany Lion record book by logging a 100-yard kick off return for a touchdown.

As to the future, Chaz looks to the 2012 NFL draft where he is currently regarded as a prospect by top rating services. For SHS athletic director Chuck Abbott, this level of achievement from such an unlikely start is not really a surprise.

“During the course of Chaz’s high school career, you could see he had the motivation and drive to reach his goals,” Abbott said.  “He was one of those gifted individuals who had that internal drive to work hard on the practice field and even harder in the off season.”

To Chaz Powell, Class of 2007:

Thanks for making us ‘Warrior Proud”