2001 "Penguin of the Year"
Paul McFadden
Youngstown State (1980-83)

    Known in the football community for his barefooted-kicking style, former YSU and NFL standout placekicker Paul McFadden was honored as one of three Penguin’s of the Year at the 11th annual Penguin Club Scholarship/Ring Dinner last year.
    McFadden played in the National Football League with the Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons and New York Giants from 1984 through 1989 and was a kicker at YSU from 1980 through 1983. He returned to his alma mater following his NFL playing days to start a career in higher education administration.
    In August 2000, McFadden was promoted to Director of Development for YSU. He had served as the Director of Athletic Development since 1993.
    Throughout his playing career and in his professional career, McFadden has always worked hard to provide for others whether it be the University or for charity.
    In heading the YSU Athletic Development efforts, McFadden has helped to establish an Athletic Annual Fund, the Athletic Phonathon, four annual athletic alumni events and the Athletic Legacy Society to encourage bequests. During the $26 million Capital Campaign he helped generate more than $3 million in donations for the YSU Athletics Department. He conducted a community-wide Brick campaign generating more than $450,000.
    For the university he has established a $3 million trust, funding nursing scholarships, worked to create endowed scholarship prospects, restructured the Athletic Endowment Program and has facilitated the process of giving gifts and securities. Currently, there are 26 named Athletic Scholarship Endowments totaling more than $750,000.
    He is a board member of the Goodwill Industries, NSFRE-Northeast Ohio Chapter and is a telethon volunteer for Tod Children’s Hospital. McFadden is visible on home game days and during high school games supervising activities in Stambaugh Stadium’s Scholarship loge complex and DeBartolo Stadium Club. On football road games, McFadden uses his talents to act as the sideline reporter for the Penguins Sports Network.
    He has worked as a sideline reporter and color commentator since 1990. He gained the insight he brings to the radio after spending six seasons as a placekicker in the NFL. He played six seasons amassing 520 points missing just five PAT kicks in 165 attempts and was 120-of-175 on field-goal tries.
    Following his career with the Penguins, he was drafted by the United States Football League’s Chicago Blitz, but chose to go to the NFL after the Eagles selected him in the 12th round in 1984.
    The Eagles couldn’t have selected a more stellar kicker at pick No. 312. In his first year he set a team rookie mark and then record with 116 points. He made an impressive 30-of-37 field-goal attempts to lead the NFL in both categories. He was named the conference’s Rookie of the Year and earned a spot in the Pro Bowl.
    In 1985, he was again a Pro Bowl selection scoring 104 points making all 29 PAT’s and 25-of-30 field goals. McFadden made 20-of-31 field goals en route to an 84-point season in 1986 and in his final year he scored 84 points making 16 field goals.
    With the Giants in 1988, he led the team in scoring with 67 points. New York finished 10-6 as McFadden made 25-of-27 extra points and 14-of-19 field goals. In his one year with the Falcons in 1989, he scored 63 points making 15-of-20 field goals and 18-of-18 extra points.
    At Youngstown State, McFadden established many kicking records that lasted until one of his disciples and also an honoree at last year’s banquet, Jeff Wilkins, came along and rewrote the record book.
    In his first game, McFadden who came to YSU as a soccer player, booted a 54-yard kick against Murray State. That kick is tied as the longest field goal in school history. In the same game he kicked a 52-yard field goal and his legend was born. He also kicked two 53 yarders in his YSU tenure.
    He finished his career (1980-83) with 240 points, which ranks as the third most by a kicker and fifth most in school history behind Wilkins and Mark Griffith. His 52 field goals (in 90 attempts) still rank second in school history behind Wilkins. McFadden also made 78 extra points, fifth-best in school history. In 1982, he made 17 field goals and that number still ranks as the second-best single-season total at YSU. He made four field goals in a game three times and along with Wilkins, they are the only two players to attempt five field goals in a game. He was inducted into the YSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993 for his efforts.
    McFadden grew up playing soccer and was the most valuable player as a senior on the Euclid High School soccer team. He is a member of the Euclid Athletic Hall of Fame.
Paul and his wife Dianne, a former YSU women’s basketball player and current assistant coach, have two sons, Connor and Colten.