Upper Dublin grad getting his kicks at Ursinus

Derek Giannetti has made an easy transition from punting in high school to punting in college. The Upper Dublin graduate is hoping to expand his role next fall.

Giannetti has been the punter for the past two seasons. He will punt again for the Bears next fall and will also be in the running to be the team’s starting quarterback. Giannetti is hoping he can make the same transition to quarterback on the college level as he did as a punter.

“It was a pretty easy transition,” said Giannetti. “As a punter, not much changes between the two levels of football in high school and college. We’ve had two good years since I’ve been here and it’s good to be a part of it.”

Giannetti was an outstanding quarterback and punter at Upper Dublin. He went looking for the right fit when it was time to choose his college home. Ursinus offered what Giannetti was looking for academically along with the chance to punt during his freshman season.

“I knew I wanted to play football,” Giannetti said. “I went in as a quarterback and a punter, but I’ve been mainly focusing on punting recently. I enjoy punting in college.”

Giannetti’s path to college football began in seventh grade. That’s when he gave up baseball and decided to give football a try. After starting out as a tight end, he became a quarterback and a punter in his last year of middle school.

Giannetti still has fond memories of his days with the Cardinals at Upper Dublin. He credits the program and the coaching staff for preparing him for college competition on the gridiron.

“The program had an awesome environment,” said Giannetti.  “We had a bunch of great players. It was a fun time and it helped me prepare for college. Coach (Bret) Stover was great in getting me ready when he knew I was interested in college football.”

Punting for a school in the northeast can be difficult late in the season. As the swirling and often unpredictable winds arrive in the latter part of the fall campaign, Giannetti’s job becomes more difficult.

“It’s pretty tough,” Giannetti said. “We had a lot of games this season where the winds seemed to be swirling all over the place. It’s definitely hard to get used to, but I’m still adjusting and it’s getting easier.”

Giannetti is just as pleased to play for his coaching staff in college as he was with the staff at Upper Dublin. He credits the Bears coaches for giving him an opportunity the moment he walked onto the field in college.

“They’re looking for the best players in college,” said Giannetti. “In college, they’re going to put the best players on the field. It’s good to know they are looking at you right away as someone with a chance to play when you get there.”

The exercise and sports science program at Ursinus gives Giannetti a chance to focus on his future off the field. He is looking into a career either as a physical education teacher or in physical therapy. For now, Giannetti is looking back on a successful sophomore season and is also looking forward to the 2011 campaign.

“We had a great season this past year,” Giannetti said. “We’re really not losing too many starters, so we’re pretty excited.  We have a lot of experienced players ready to go again.”