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Sports

For Grossnickle, It All Adds Up to Lehigh

Watchung Hills standout football player, National Honor Society member wants to continue career on field and pursue a job in accounting.

When Watchung Hills senior football player Scott Grossnickle committed to Lehigh University, his decision was based as much on the school's reputation among accounting firms as it's regarded on the field.

The three-time varsity letter-winner signed a letter of intent Jan. 29, and will join the Mountain Hawks football team this fall as a defensive end. 

But Grossnickle is prepared for any challenge—he was thrown into every situation during his time with the Warriors.

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“I played pretty much every single position on the offensive line, minus center, as well as on defense this year,”  the 6-foot-3, 246-pound Warren native said. “They would put my at different positions because I could pick up something quick. They could turn to me if they needed something. I was kind of a selfless player. Whatever the coaches needed, I would do.”

Grossnickle first started thinking about playing football at the next level when he was a sophomore. As a junior, Grossnickle furthered his training by working out with a couple of retired NFL players, improving his size and strength. 

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“It was then I realized I had the potential and I'd be able to put in the work,” Grossnickle said.

Grossnickle sent tapes to Lehigh and took a visit of the campus before verbally committing. After speaking with some of its coaches, he was invited to its one-day Junior Prospect Football Camp. He also underwent similar workouts with Harvard, Navy, Princeton and Villanova.

After his top choice, UPenn, fell through, Grossnickle continued to mull his decision and consult his high school coaches. After going on official visits to Johns Hopkins, and then Lehigh, he made his decision the Saturday before Feb. 2—National Signing Day.

“I was just really impressed with what I saw at Lehigh,” the all-conference honorable mention said. “They obviously liked my senior film and camp workouts. When I was there on the official visit, they offered me [a scholarship] right there and then and I committed [verbally].”

Watchung Hills head football coach Mark Crisafi, who coached his first season at the Warren school this past fall after spending 14 years at Union High School, is proud of Grossnickle's accomplishments.

“I was very happy for him. I know Lehigh and what type of school it is because of what it can offer him besides just football,” Crisafi said.  “He’s set himself up very well. I’m glad he chose them, and they chose him because it’s close by and they’re a successful program.  A couple coaches on our staff are Lehigh alums. It’s a nice fit for him.”

While Grossnickle is determined to be the best on the football field, he is also striving to be the best in the classroom. Academics was one of the integral reasons why he selected Lehigh. 

“I chose Lehigh because it is top-5 in accounting,” said Grossnickle, who earned National Honor Society accolades in both English and Spanish. “That’s what I want to major in. I’m going to do a five-year [plan] and get my master's. They are recruited by the 'Big 4' accounting firms, so I was pretty satisfied with their curriculum and connections.”

Outside of academics and athletics, Grossnickle is a three-time Volunteer Counselor in Training (one-time a Junior Volunteer of the Year).  He has interned at Caruso & Thompson, a Warren-based accounting firm. He was also a finalist for the prestigious NJCPA Scholarship.

Grossnickle first started playing football in sixth grade for the Junior Warriors.  Being 5 to 10 pounds heavier than the requirement for Pop Warner, he never got to play growing up—until the Junior Warriors were created.

Grossnickle didn’t get a lot of playing time until he was in eighth grade, but made great friendships along the way, ones he’s kept until this day.

Through all of his experiences playing football, Grossnickle has picked up a lot along the way, and is driven to meet any challenge.

“Hard work [is my best attribute]. I’m highly determined,” Grossnickle said.

“He brought a strong work ethic as a captain this past year,” Crisafi said. “Sometimes guys would get away from the defense and he would go run them down.  He’s just an awesome kid, a great kid. I think he’s going to have a nice college career.” 

When asked about the NFL as a future possibility, Grossnickle has given it some thought. But he said he wants to make sure he is a well-rounded student, in addition to being a standout on the football field.

“At any given moment, an injury could happen and you lose all that you have in football,” the Warriors' senior captain said. “So I don’t want to bank on having football for the rest of my life.” 

“I’d have to put on a heck of a lot of weight or run a 4.2,” Grossnickle said. “But I’ll work my hardest at Lehigh to see if I can possibly do that. But I’m going to invest a lot of time in academics because the NFL is slim and I love accounting.”

Grossnickle is well-prepared moving forward, thanks to all the great support he received and what he learned during his time at Watchung Hills. 

“I never could have done any of this without the support of the closest to me,” he said. “My parents and my girlfriend, for always being there to pick me up and support me. My coaches and trainers for making me what I am.

“Work the hardest that you can, no matter if the person you’re going against bigger, stronger…never give up," he added. "Work your ass off and play as hard as you can.  If you do that, you’ll never lose.”

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