Josh Oswalt, the graduate assistant to Jennifer Cummings in the office of Academic Support, will volunteer his services as a coach for the Red Raider football team in 2009. Oswalt recently concluded an outstanding four-year career with Shippensburg in which he totaled 245 tackles as an integral member of the linebacker corps.
Oswalt excelled in his senior season, ranking second on the team in tackles with 84 (including 39 solo stops). His reputation as a ball hawk was solidified in 2008 with 10.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and two fumble recoveries while starting in all 11 of the team’s games.
For his career, Oswalt appeared in 42 games, recording 107 solo tackles and 138 tackle assists of which 29 went for loss. In addition, Oswalt registered 5.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries while missing just two games in his career due to injury.
Oswalt completed his teaching practicum with a Fall internship during his senior football season. He graduated in December with a degree in elementary education and a concentration in reading while compiling a 3.3 cumulative quality-point average.
In addition to football, Oswalt was an integral member of the Shippensburg University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), a committee made up of student-athletes that assembles to provide insight on the student-athlete experience.
As the vice-president of the Shippensburg SAAC, Oswalt was integral in the organization and subsequent planning of the Special Olympics Fun Meet, a fund-raiser for the Shippensburg area Special Olympics swim team. Associated with this event was a “Chains of Love” fund-raiser that generated significant support for the local chapters of the Special Olympics.
In 2008, SAAC raised more than $3,000 from the Shippensburg University Athlete Auction and $4,500 overall through various fund-raising initiatives including the annual Special Olympics Fun Meet. Shippensburg University, through the SAAC’s efforts, was ranked fifth in NCAA Division II to donate to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Oswalt currently resides in Shippensburg.
