Italiano named smartest player in college football

Italiano named smartest player in college football

Kent State safety, and Canfield High School graduate, Jordan Italiano was named “Smartest Player in College Football” in NFL.com’s 15 for ’15 series released on Tuesday.

The pre-med/biochemistry major carries a 3.978 heading into his senior year.

A standout on the field and in the classroom, Italiano is a two-time Academic All-America selection, including first team honors in 2014. He has made 195 career tackles, forced five fumbles and intercepted four passes, helping him earn spots on both Athlon and Phil Steele’s Preseason All-Mid-American Conference Second Teams.

Hinkle scholarship bocce social set for July

youngstown

The Youngstown State Penguin Club will hold the annual Debra L. Hinkle Football Scholarship Bocce Social on July 19 at Cassese’s MVR in Youngstown.

The tournament, which is open to everyone, starts at noon. The deadline for registration is July 10. The event starts at 11 a.m. with a social hour featuring coffee, tea, donuts and pastries. The bocce tournament will follow.

A buffet lunch will be served at 2 p.m. Lunch and beverages are included in the registration fee. The price for an individual is $55 for non-Penguin Club/Football Alumni members and $50 for Penguin Club/Football Alumni members.

For more information contact the Penguin Club at (330) 941-2351.

Seahawks sign backup QB Tarvaris Jackson

RENTON, Wash.

The Seattle Seahawks have officially signed backup quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, giving them a proven veteran behind starter Russell Wilson.

Seattle finalized Jackson’s deal Tuesday, the first day of minicamp. Seattle cleared a roster spot when defensive end Ryan Robinson was waived/injured after rupturing his Achilles tendon last week. Robinson cleared waivers and reverted to Seattle’s injured reserve list.

Jackson gives Seattle depth after the team went through most of the offseason with just Wilson and second-year free agent R.J. Archer on the roster after B.J. Daniels was moved from quarterback to wide receiver.

Manfred ‘open to change’ All-Star vote

BOSTON

With eight Kansas City Royals leading in fan voting for starters at the July 14 All-Star game, baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred says he is “open to change.”

Speaking to reporters Tuesday at Fenway Park, Manfred says it is too early to draw conclusions.

“We have 16 days left,” he said. “Lots of years we’ve worried about lots of things about fan voting, but in general fans have done a good job.

“We’ll see how it all turns out. ... We are responsive and open to change if we get a result that is not consistent with the goals of the system that is in place.”

Canfield’s Ed Moore honored for 50th season

Ed Moore of Canfield was honored on Tuesday for officiating his 50th season of basketball.

Moore was given a certificate award and a gold watch at the annual banquet at the Cloumbus Airport Marriot. He is one of only seven officials in the state of Ohio to accomplish a half century of officiating.

Moore also has seven years in volleyball, 27 in baseball and 40 in softball. He is a member of Youngstown Metro Umpires Association and Mahoning Valley Basketball Association.

Curbstone Coaches to honor state champions

The Curbstone Coaches will recognize and honor the local high school state champions in softball and track & field on Monday.

The event will take place at Lucianno’s Banquet Center in the Wedgewood Plaza in Austintown. It begins at noon and open to the public.

Staff/wire reports