Furfari At-Large
September 22, 2004 04:39 PM | General
Chris Peccon played fullback in the early 1980s when Don Nehlen was building a nationally recognized football program at West Virginia University.
The Uniontown, Pa., native now owns a construction company, in partnership with brother Mark. They took over the business from their late father, Anthony, about four years ago.
"It was great working with my father 12-13 years after graduating from WVU," he said on a recent visit to Morgantown. "He also had some rental properties, which I helped manage, and I learned a lot from him."
Peccon, 40, admittedly is proud of his accomplishments, both athletically and academically, during his five years of college. He received a bachelor's degree in business in 1987.
He came out of Uniontown's Laurel Highlands High School and was a walk-on for football at the University.
Eventually, he earned a scholarship and was the starting fullback in 1985 and 1986.
"The fullback carried the ball on rare occasion," Peccon recalled. "He was used mostly as a blocker.
"But Coach (Don) Nehlen did use the fullback some for short-yardage situations and pass plays. So I felt part of the offense, but primarily as a blocker."
It was in the role of blocker that he excelled. For the three years in which he lettered, however, he carried the ball 93 times for 323 yards rushing and caught 13 passes for 104 yards.
The only touchdown of Peccon's college career came in the passing game.
He had been a standout at Laurel Highlands High, where he was coached by Jim Cunningham. He made the Foothills Conference all-star first team.
Peccon, as a Mountaineer, was a contributor to 9-3, 8-4, 7-3-1 and 4-7 records. He helped the 1982 team prepare for a Gator Bowl appearance, and he played in the Hall of Fame and Bluebonnet Bowls, which WVU won.
"I remember a lot of things that happened in games," he said. "But what I remember most are the friends and the good times. Teammates and roommates became very close in the locker room and on trips."
Peccon noted that working with his father wasn't the easiest thing he ever did. "But I knew he had my best interests at heart," he said. "And I knew the direction he was leading me was for my own good.
"I told Dad how much I appreciated what he did for me. He said, 'One way to thank me would be to do the same for your kids that I've tried to do for you."
And that's exactly what Peccon has been doing in raising his children.
He and his wife, the former Lisa Mauro, have four children. They are Maria, 6; Gina, 4; Chris, 3; and Nicholas, born last May.
"They are my main interest," Peccon said. "I get the biggest joy out of being with them. I have no hobbies. So spending time with them is very important to me.
"I look forward to coming home from work each day and playing with the kids. I like to emphasize that. I grew up in a family with a loving father, a loving mother and loving brothers.
"We all were very close. So my wife and children are now my No. 1 priority. I sacrifice for them."
