The percentage of high school basketball players that play Division III basketball is just 1.4 percent. The number of high school football players that play Division II football is just 1.8 percent. John (Jack) Relihan, a former basketball player at Marietta College and later here at Penn State Behrend, had the opportunity to play both Division II football along with Division III basketball.

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Relihan is a 2015 graduate from South Fayette High School. He was a member of the 2013 and 2014 South Fayette state champion football teams. He was a three year letterwinner in football and basketball. After a great end to his senior year in football, coaches from the PSAC Conference reached out to him about continuing his football career. At the time, though, Relihan knew his heart lied with basketball.

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After averaging 16.1 points per game in his senior season at South Fayette, Relihan decided basketball was the sport for him to continue in college. Relihan spoke to Penn State Behrend in high school about playing basketball at Behrend, but Marietta College was the best place for him at the time. “A combination of playing style, coaches and some of my future teammates were the reason I picked Marietta initially,” Relihan admitted. “It was a school really nobody I knew went to, and I was ready for a change of scenery at the time.” After two years at Marietta College, Relihan transferred to Behrend.

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Relihan’s uncle is a successful businessman in Chicago who introduced him to the field of supply chain management, which had not been offered as a major at Marietta. With these things in mind, Relihan reached out to coach Dave Niland, and they decided Penn State Behrend was the right place for him both academically and athletically.

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Relihan would be going to a school with a lot of familiar faces, including longtime friend and Behrend soccer player Nick McKee and basketball players Justin Gorny and Dan Wanker, who he played travel basketball with for many years. “It was a great overall move for me in terms of academics, athletics and the social environment. I never even visited the campus because I was confident it was the right place for me with all of these factors considered,” Relihan stated of his decision.

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After one year playing hoops at Penn State Behrend, Relihan decided it was time to step away from the game of basketball and focus on his career as a businessman. This was primarily due to Relihan having a different playing style than what the Behrend offense runs.

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Relihan notes giving up college athletics as one of the most difficult decisions he has ever been faced with, but one that he is content with. “I am content with my decision to better my career in business,” Relihan said. “If I could go back and do it all over again, I would have listened more deeply to the coaches from the California University of Pennsylvania and Slippery Rock when they were asking to speak with me about playing football. I would have weighed the options a little bit better if I could go back.” While he has made a lot of tough decisions over the last three years, it is important to note that he has had a great support system behind him along the way.

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Relihan’s parents Michaela and Tim Relihan have been key to his success both in and out of athletics. “My parents are awesome. They never really pushed me in athletics, but they let me do it on my own. They would be proud of me if I played sports or not. Their continued love and support is something I truly value,” Relihan stated of his parents.

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In addition to his parents, his high school coaches assisted him in the recruitment process and helped put him in great positions to find success. He commented “South Fayette football in particular had so many coaches and volunteers that made our program great. Our coaches had a great bond which resulted in our team having an overall great bond. It was a lot of fun playing high school football at South Fayette.”

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While competing in the NCAA might be over, Relihan is still one of the biggest sports fans at Penn State Behrend. On Saturdays he roots for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, while on Sunday he cheers for his hometown Pittsburgh Steelers. He continues to be active in basketball leagues in the Pittsburgh area along with intramurals at Penn State Behrend. He is hopeful to become a football coach upon graduation, along with beginning his career.