University of Virginia Library

Rising Phenom

Sinesky Lives Up To Reputation

By Paul Larsen

Around Bethel Park, Pa. the
name Sinesky means football. The
family gridiron tradition began in
the 30's when Al Sinesky Sr.
was a star fullback for Bethel
Park High School. It has continued
for the last decade with the
development of three highly touted
younger additions with the same
football blood in them that carried
their father to stardom thirty years
ago.

Familiar to all Virginia football
fans is second-year man Al Sinesky,
who in only three games as a
Cavalier has reached the prominence
the folks in Bethel Park
have come to expect from a man
of that family.

A strapping 6′2″, 212, Sinesky
is the personification of the ideal
scholar-athelete. Not only is his
rugged play one of the hallmarks
of this year's defensive
unit, but his accomplishments on
the track field will complement
his dean's list scholastic average.

His choice of accepting a Virginia
grant-in-aid over such offers
from Duke, Army, Navy, Yale,
and VPI, was a result of the
school's academic emphasis.

Glad To Play

Sinesky reflected on his first
three games by saying, "I feel
it a privilege to start as a second-year
man and to be a part of the
great pride that is present on the
defensive unit."

The big end sites Virginia's defense
as being the key to the upcoming
Duke game. "If we can
put on the pressure we're capable
of and force their offense to make
mistakes, we'll come out of the
game a winner."

The accomplishments of number
81 are becoming well-known to
Cavalier observers. In all three
games the defensive specialist has
nearly perfected the art of containment,
letting few opposing
backs slip by him. This was especially
noticeable in last week's
Wake Forest game in which he
and roommate Tom Patton received
much praise from their
coaches.

Track Star Also

On the track field Sinesky has
received an abundance of acclaim
for his talents in the weight department.
He is an accomplished
shot-putter, discus thrower, and
javelin hurter. He holds several of
his high school records in the shot
and discus, and is remembered by
most hometown fans for leading
his track team to the Western
Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic
League championship in his
senior year.

Bethel Park, Pa. is well aware
of the name Sinesky. It is also a
name that Cavalier fans will not
soon forget.