Shippensburg University Athletics

Anthony Chapparone lettered in three sports at Shippensburg – football, track & field and basketball.

His primary sport was football. He played quarterback for two seasons and has earned much praise from his teammates. In head coach Vinton Rambo’s offense, the quarterback was primarily used as a blocker and did not often throw passes. Chapparone was, however, an integral play-caller and executor of the offense while on the field.

Chapparone was also a regular on defense, playing cornerback. After his early days on the redshirt squad, Chapparone expanded his role and was invited to review game films with the coaching staff each week. He eventually became involved with assisting with the coaches’ game plans and was viewed as an unofficial “coach” both on and off the field.

As a junior in 1951, Chapparone was used occasionally on offense as a play caller, blocking back and passer in addition to being the holder on special teams plays. On defense, Chapparone was a defensive back and formation caller. SU’s defense ranked 23rd that season among small colleges.

In 1952, Chapparone was the starting quarterback of the first undefeated team in SU football’s modern era and just the second undefeated team in school history. SU went 7-0, scored 266 points and allowed just 20 all season long. The Red Raiders ranked among the Small College Top 10 for both offense and defense.

Of the offensive statistics that were submitted to the NCAA that season, Chapparone completed 3-of-6 passes for 51 yards and a touchdown.

Official defensive statistics were not kept in the Rambo era, but in his role from the defensive secondary it was believed that he recorded close to 10 career interceptions and more than 30 pass breakups – leading in the team in the latter category as a senior with 15.

His track and field competition consisted primarily of dual meets against other schools. He competed in the 100- and 220-yard dash and threw the javelin. Among his accomplishments was a second-place finish at the Penn Relays.

On the basketball court, Chapparone suited up as a guard for head coach Tom Crist. SU won 11 games in his sophomore season, 1950-51. Assists were informally kept as a statistic in the 1950s, but Chapparone was credited as the team’s leader in the category in both his sophomore and junior seasons.

After Shippensburg, Chapparone enrolled in Officer Training School and received a commission as an ensign in the U.S. Navy reserve. He served four years in the Navy before ending his career in the reserves in 1957.

Throughout his various Naval stations, Chapparone remained active in sports with roles as a coach and athletic director. As a player, he earned All-Navy East honors as a defensive back playing at Little Creek Naval Base in Virginia.

He is retired from his position as a national sales manager for sporting goods company AMF-VOIT and is now a sales manager for his wife’s auto-body business. He lives with his wife RoseAnn in San Diego, California. The couple enjoys their days with their three sons, Anthony, Mark and Christopher, along with grandchildren and great-grandchildren.