Ron and Laura Pasquale Endowed Scholarship for Football

In recognition of The University of Akron’s Sesquicentennial Anniversary, this scholarship was established in 2020 by Ron and Laura Pasquale, natives of Youngstown, Ohio. The Pasquales are longtime advocates of student-athletes of The University of Akron. Mr. Pasquale is a University of Akron alumnus, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in business in 1987.

Ron was a 1982 walk-on offensive lineman for the Zips football team under coach Jim Dennison and credited his recruitment to his brother, Bill, a fellow Zips teammate. Ron earned an athletic scholarship and became a four-year starter for the Zips. He acknowledges the UA athletic scholarship for bridging the financial gap in continuing his academic pursuits.

Ron credits on-the-field, classroom, and career achievements to the PMA – Positive Mental Attitude spirit of coach Dennison along with lessons of self-sacrifice and determination exhibited by his teammates. In 1986, Ron was selected a team captain by his teammates and awarded All-American honors under the leadership of first-year head coach Gerry Faust.
In 2003, Ron became one of the first known NCAA athletes to donate a living organ for transplant to a teammate. Ron successfully donated a kidney to former Zips lineman Bill Pasquale. Ron was inducted into The University of Akron’s Varsity “A” Sports Hall of Fame in 2017.
Ron is grateful to The University of Akron for the opportunity to earn a college degree and build a successful career in the telecommunication industry.

The Ron and Laura Pasquale Football Scholarship recipient will be a football student-athlete with preference given to someone beginning their Zips Football career as a non-scholarship member of the squad. The recipient may be an incoming freshman or active team member. Final recipient selection will be made by the coaching staff.