Shady Side Academy athletes found themselves at the center of one of America’s biggest sports spectacles, joining more than 805,000 fans downtown for the NFL Draft, held April 23–25. Members of the SSA football team watched it all unfold from the front row, thanks to the efforts of Head Football Coach Andrew Geisler ’12 and alumnus Dan Rooney ’08, Vice President of Business Development and Strategy for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“The experience really exceeded our expectations,” said Geisler, who attended the third and final day of the Draft on Saturday, April 25, with 15 players and assistant coach John McClelland. “We were seated in the center front row and had the chance to meet several of the second-round draft picks.” The group also met NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, adding to an already memorable day.

Earlier that morning, Shady Side Academy was recognized during the Western Pennsylvania Football Legacy ceremony, which celebrates the region’s storied football tradition and the high schools that have contributed to it. The Academy has produced three NFL draft picks: Dale Armstrong ’42 (1949), Eugene Baker ’94 (1999), and Skyy Moore ’19 (2022). Starting tight end and defensive end senior Cam M., who will continue his football career at Youngstown State University, represented Shady Side on stage alongside nearly 200 student-athletes from across the region.

Geisler noted that the experience is one his players will carry with them for years to come and expressed gratitude to Rooney for helping make the opportunity possible.