Ten years in the past, Christian Hackenberg was making ready for his second season as Penn State's beginning quarterback.
Now the 29-year-old is making ready for a special activity.
Hackenberg would be the keynote speaker on the PennLive Excessive Faculty Sports activities Awards on Could 22.
The occasion, which is scheduled for 5-7pm on the Penn Harris Resort, is sponsored by Renewal by Andersen of Central PA and UPMC.
Tickets for the occasion can be found now.
Hackenberg, a five-star recruit in Invoice O'Brien's 2013 recruiting class, mentioned he was excited to have the chance to talk with a number of the greatest younger athletes in central Pa.
“In every part I do, it's about getting the fitting message throughout,” Hackenberg just lately informed PennLive.
“Once I bought this chance, I used to be excited. I simply need to be sure I'm passing on one thing that's useful to them.”
Penn State followers younger and previous are acquainted with Hackenberg's time in State School.
Hackenberg and lots of of his 2013 classmates, together with Cedar Cliff commit Adam Breneman, have determined to remain at Penn State with this system reeling underneath extreme sanctions associated to the Jerry Sandusky scandal.
The QB performed for O'Brien in 2013 and spent two years with James Franklin earlier than leaving college early. He was chosen within the second spherical of the 2016 NFL Draft by the New York Jets.
Hackenberg made Franklin's Penn State teaching debut a memorable one as he threw for 454 yards within the Lions' 26-24 victory over Central Florida at Croke Park in Dublin, Eire on August 30, 2014.
PSU went 21-17 throughout Hackenberg's time with the Lions, and the quarterback continues to be retaining an in depth eye on his college.
He’s very concerned within the state media (@StateMediaPSU), the place he hosts “The Pocket” podcast with former Penn Stater Brandon Bell. Hackenberg and his spouse, Tatum, a former Penn State lacrosse participant, stay in New Jersey, the place they’re watched over by their younger son, Hayes.
“My son goes to be 1 on April 14th (April) and it's sort of creeping up on me, however it's all good, man,” Hackenberg mentioned.
He joked, “Sadly, I'm behind enemy traces in New Jersey. My spouse is a Jersey woman. We're down in South Jersey and I find it irresistible.
“It's actually good duck searching right here. I'll have my fill of it within the fall.”
Hackenberg is No. 3 on Penn State's all-time offense listing with 8,215 yards behind Hint McSorley (11,596) and Sean Clifford (11,734).
Spectacular numbers. However Hackenberg's time at Penn State was about greater than numbers. Hackenberg can be remembered by many Lions followers for selecting to remain at Penn State in the course of the hardest time in program historical past.
“When you get your fingers on it and are available to phrases with every part … you take a look at it and it's like, 'Yeah, that was fairly candy,'” Hackenberg mentioned.
“We're going to be extra concerned up there (at Penn State) now, which is nice,” Hackenberg added when requested about interacting with Penn State followers.
“I actually recognize it. Simply to see that development (at Penn State) and nonetheless have the drive and push from individuals to remain concerned, that's nice, too.”
And what’s going to Hackenberg's message be on the PennLive occasion? He doesn't tip his hand.
“I'm an enormous believer in making an impression in no matter you do, nonetheless you do it, even within the little issues,” Hackenberg mentioned.
“I'm fairly simply impressed by the individuals I'm surrounded by.
“I consider that's a extremely essential factor in life, so when you might have an expertise that not many individuals have and a really small group of individuals may have the chance too, and whenever you particularly get to these individuals and speak to them, it's satisfying to me and it's nice to observe them.'