Ligonier Valley senior Aaron Tutino commits to St. Francis (Pa.)

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, December 13, 2018 | 3:33 PM

It didn’t take Ligonier Valley senior Aaron Tutino long to make a choice about his future.

Less than two weeks after getting his first NCAA Division I offer, the Pennsylvania career touchdown leader committed to St. Francis (Pa.). He announced his decision on Twitter.

Tutino owns the state record for career touchdown catches, 61, and he rewrote the Rams’ record book in receiving.

The 5-foot-9 senior had much Division II interest and offers from West Virginia State and Shippensburg, but St. Francis (Pa.) of the Northeast Conference became his first big offer.

“I loved how they recruited me,” Tutino said. “They never lost touch with me, they told me they believed in me and it’s close to home.

“It’s good football in the Northeast Conference. It’s perfect for me, and I’m familiar with the campus because my sister (Arianna) attends there.”

Arianna Tutino is a fifth-year senior who works with the football program filming games and practice.

Tutino finished his career with 206 catches for 4,120 yards. This past season he had a career-best 66 catches for 1,363 yards and 21 touchdowns.

Tutino helped lead the Rams to three consecutive Heritage Conference and Appalachian Bowl titles and three consecutive trips to the PIAA District 6 title game. The Rams won in 2016 and ’17.

He was injured in the PIAA final against Richland and missed the second half. He’s been rehabbing an ankle injury and won’t start basketball until he’s 100 percent.

He is a three-time member of the Tribune-Review’s Terrific 25 and a two-time all-state player.

“Honestly, I had a great career,” Tutino said. “It went by too fast. You don’t realize anything else until it’s over. I came in as a freshman waiting to start. I wanted to score every time I touched the ball.”

During Tutino’s career, his class went 48-5.

“I feel we helped build the program to where it is under coach (Roger) Beitel,” Tutino said. “I expect it to be strong for years to come. We’re one of the top programs in the state now.”

Paul Schofield is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Paul at pschofield@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Schofield_Trib.

Tags: Ligonier Valley