Pressure comes with the position—but for Anthony Guercio, the biggest early pressure wasn’t the pass rush; it was finding the right field to play on. After graduating in 2021, he opened at Fairmont State and made close friends, yet long-term goals didn’t align. “Playing quarterback is a very specific position,” he says. “I wanted to play early in my career.” The solution was a modern one: the NCAA transfer portal, which he calls a tool that “gives the ability to student-athletes to find the right school for them.”

His search focused on getting closer to home—Cleveland, Ohio—so family could be in the stands. PennWest Clarion stood out. “Meeting with the coaching staff here, taking my visit was super big,” he says. The small-town vibe felt right, and the town-and-gown connection sealed it. “I really felt like the community backed the football team… homecoming here really made football special to me.”

The transfer itself was seamless. Coaches led the first conversations; then Admissions and academic advisors handled transcripts, housing options for a mid-year start, and a clear plan to stay on track. “My advisors did a great job seeing which classes were able to transfer and still maintain my trajectory to graduate on time.”

That academic focus paid off. Anthony finished his B.S. in Nutrition & Fitness and moved straight into an MBA in Management, aiming to pair his passion for exercise science with business versatility. On the field, he became a standout for the Golden Eagles—CSC Academic All-District, Offensive MVP, 2,001 passing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns—proof that the right fit accelerates performance.

His advice for day one applies to every student, not just athletes: “Smile, introduce yourself, be respectful. You’re going to walk out of this university and think, wow, I made great friendships, partnerships, and mentorships.” For Anthony, that openness turned a portal decision into a community that cares—coaches, professors, teammates, and neighbors pulling in the same direction.

A handful of right moves—closer to home, credits that count, coaches who care—became opportunity on the field and in the classroom. It’s classic Clarion, and a good glimpse of what students discover across PennWest.