Everett High senior Jonathan DiBiaso wears a Dartmouth College T-shirt and holds a Big Green football cap after an¬nouncing his decision to attend the Ivy League institution
At a press conference and luncheon that will set the standard for all future events of this nature, Everett High football star Jonathan DiBiaso announced that he will attend Dartmouth College following a year of prep school at Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, N.H.
As school administrators, coaches, teammates, media members and Jonathan’s parents, head football coach John DiBiaso and Maureen DiBiaso looked on, the state’s top player unveiled a Dartmouth College T-shirt that he had worn underneath his Crimson Tide sweatshirt.
There was high drama up until the announcement. DiBiaso had narrowed his choices to Harvard and Dartmouth before making his decision public.
Throughout the 2011 championship season as DiBiaso approached and then set the all-time record for touchdown passes, he always credited his linemen, receivers, and coaches for his success. The announcement speech was also pure Jonathan: humble, polite, and gracious. His eloquence and speechwriting skills bode well for his entrance in to two very prestigious educational institutions, Phillips Exeter and Dartmouth, a member of the Ivy League.
“I appreciate everyone in attendance today – I would like to thank Mr. Baldi, our principal who made this event and this day possible,” DiBiaso began. “I would like to thank the city of Everett who has supported me throughout the years. I would like to thank all my teachers and coaches who helped me become the student-athlete I am today.”
DiBiaso then thanked his teammates and friends “who have made my high school career very special.”
“Lastly I would like to thank my family…they’ve helped me become the person I am today,” said DiBiaso.
He then revealed his plans for the future, saying that “I’ve decided that I am going to take a post-grad year at Phillips-Exeter – and I will be committed to a school in which I will play football and further my academic as well as my athletic career, and that school is Dartmouth College.”
John DiBiaso attended Phillips Exeter (Class of 1975) before continuing his career at Tufts University. He said that Jonathan spoke to former Everett All-Scholastic Gennaro Leo, who also attended Exeter before eventually completing a sterling career at Trinity.
“It’s a great school and a great opportunity for him and an avenue to the Ivy League,” said DiBiaso. “He could have gone to Dartmouth and some schools this year but we just felt that an extra year of maturity and getting bigger and stronger would help him.”
Dartmouth is transitioning to a pass-oriented offense under head coach Buddy Teevens who likes the fact that Jonathan DiBiaso can throw and run. His 28-yard scamper for a first down in the Super Bowl win over Lincoln-Sudbury was one of the game’s key plays.
“They articulated to us that they were looking for somebody that could not only throw the ball in the pocket but could be mobile and run the ball,” said John DiBiaso. “The fact that he could do both attracted them to him.”
Dartmouth began their recruitment of Jonathan DiBiaso in earnest last spring. He made an official visit and two other trips to the picturesque campus in Hanover, N.H.
“I’ve always liked Dartmouth since Day 1,” said Jonathan. “The schools that I was considering are two great schools and I believe I made the right decision to put myself in a great situation for life. I think the program is going in a great direction and I think they’re going to compete and win some Ivy League championships so I’m going to be a part of that.”
Baldi, the EHS principal, said it was a proud day for the entire school community.
“I’ve known Jonathan since he was born and I watched him as a little kid running around down the football field,” said Baldi. “I’ve watched him grow in to a great student-athlete. The family, the school, and the community should be extremely proud of him. We just all love him and I’m going to miss him next year.”