Justin Dellarose proud of degree of difficulty

& lt;a href=mailto:richesson@vindy.com & gt;By BRIAN RICHESSON & lt;/a & gt;
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
ST. LOUIS -- Justin Dellarose didn't give up on himself or the Youngstown State football team.
Now, he's being rewarded.
With his football future in jeopardy because of academic requirements, Dellarose did the only thing that would allow him one more year of eligibility: He got his degree.
By graduating in four years from Youngstown State -- and earning his physical education degree in May -- Dellarose was granted that extra year by the NCAA.
You think he's motivated to make a difference this season?
Maintaining a high level
"We all have high expectations," said Dellarose, a 6-foot-2, 227-pound senior linebacker from Labelle, Pa. "Last year was kind of a disappointing year -- 7-4 and not making the playoffs. That's not acceptable for YSU. The bar has been set and we need to reach it.
"We need to win the Gateway. We need to make the playoffs," he added. "This is the year for us to do it."
That was the theme Dellarose stressed Thursday during the Gateway Football Conference's Media Day at the Renaissance Hotel. He and coach Jon Heacock served as Youngstown State's representatives.
While Dellarose revealed his competitive desire, Heacock recognized what his linebacker has accomplished academically. Dellarose enrolled at Youngstown State in 1999, but had to sit out while working to meet eligibility requirements.
Now, he's beginning his fifth year with the program and working toward another bachelor's degree -- in health.
"It makes a statement to other guys," Heacock said. "It shows what kind of commitment he had to academics. Those guys have to be able to graduate within four years, and he was able to do that.
"For a young man to be in athletics and graduate in four years, that says a lot about the kid."
Lone linebacker
Dellarose has been placed in an unusual situation entering the 2003 season.
One of 15 seniors on the Penguins' roster, he is the only returning starter from the defensive front seven and the only linebacker remaining after Russell Stuvaints and Jon Tekac graduated.
"It's exciting, but it's also knowing that I have to be a leader," Dellarose said of his role. "A lot of pressure is on me. I have to get these guys ready to go."
And he wants to make a difference on and off the field. He wants to get guys in the weight room, on the practice field early and into the right frame of mind.
"I try to lead by example," he said. "I'm not a rah-rah, screaming, yelling kind of guy."
Dellarose is upbeat about the upcoming season because he's already seen progress from the Penguins. That came during the spring.
"The spring got the team united," he said. "We went through 15 practices without a letdown. That was probably one of the best springs I've had in my five years. That's why I'm so excited."
& lt;a href=mailto:richesson@vindy.com & gt;richesson@vindy.com & lt;/a & gt;