MIKE DI PLACIDO
2000-2003
Linebacker 5-9 - 211
LYCOMING WARRIORS
In nine games OF THE 2006 season-starting just five-Diplacido recorded 60 tackles in his role as a linebacker. Earning a total of 24 total tackles back-to-back in wins over Delaware Valley College and Farleigh Dickinson University. His totals ranked him first on the team in total tackles as well as put him among the elite of defensive players on the team in just his junior season.
At Pennridge, his skills as a linebacker led to repeated All-Suburban One League honors as well as a nomination for the coveted Maxwell Award his senior year.
Out of his 60 tackles, 8.5 have been for losses against teams within Lycoming's home conference and 41 of those have been solo hits.
MAC Player of the Week
October 13, 2007
DiPlacido was recognized as Defensive Player of the Week for leading Lycoming’s standout defense on Saturday, October 13, as the Warriors captured their first win of the season, topping Wilkes 19-17. DiPlacido had a game-high 14 tackles on the day, including nine solo stops and three tackles for loss. He was in the opposing quarterback’s Joe Pusateriface relentlessly, sacking him 2.5 times to lead Lycoming’s defensive stronghold.
Mike Diplacido just wanted to play football.
He didn't care where, or what position.
He just wanted to play.
So to be given the Most Valuable Player award this past season after a standout year playing for Lycoming College was just icing on an already layered cake.
"I was so surprised I even got the award," said Diplacido. "I mean I didn't even play in all the games this season so I really wasn't expecting it. But it was real nice to hear my coach say that I made the biggest impact on defense."
In nine games this season-starting just five-Diplacido recorded 60 tackles in his role as a linebacker. Earning a total of 24 total tackles back-to-back in wins over Delaware Valley College and Farleigh Dickinson University. His totals ranked him first on the team in total tackles as well as put him among the elite of defensive players on the team in just his junior season.
"I have always wanted to do the best that I could," said Diplacido. "Even when I was in high school I always tried to set myself apart from the rest. The college game is so much different though because its so much faster and you really have to bring your game every week."
Ever since getting his start in the Pennridge Greenjackets program, Diplacido has been bringing his game to the forefront for whatever team he's been apart of. At Pennridge, his skills as a linebacker led to repeated All-Suburban One League honors as well as a nomination for the coveted Maxwell Award his senior year. At Lycoming, his role has stayed the same backing up the Warriors front line but his talents are making his role on the team vital and as he gears up for his final season, Diplacido will be doing all he can to show that this past year was no fluke.
"I'm done after next season so I am really looking to go out on top," said Diplacido. "The whole goal is to win the league, I mean if we don't we will be the only class in the 30-plus years of the program to not win a league title so I really want to do all that I can to make sure that doesn't happen."
As long as Diplacido's defense stays as menacing as it is now, the Warriors should be on pace to keep their league legacy alive. Out of his 60 tackles, 8.5 have been for losses against teams within Lycoming's home conference and 41 of those have been solo hits.
This off season, Diplacido claims he will be doing all that he can to ensure that his senior season is one to remember. In addition to lifting and running, he will be attending both the mandatory and optional spring training practices in addition to working on his criminal justice degree. Currently, Diplacido holds school and football in high regard, completing his fall semester with a 3.0 GPA in addition to appearing in most of the Warriors contests.
At Lycoming, football reigns supreme and on the football team its defense has always been the class of the program. For the 21-year-old Pennridge alum to be apart of such a strong tradition that the Warriors have is the best feeling ever, one he will always take with him even when his playing days are long gone.
"Our coach (Lycoming head coach Frank Girardi) always says he relies heavily on the defense and at this school the defense has a big tradition of being the strength of the program," said Diplacido. "I hope that I do all that I can to be apart of that tradition and that I show I always tried to do what was good for us to win and remain one of the best teams in the league."
