Susquehanna University Athletics

Son of Italian-Americans, Joseph and Grace, the values they taught and his athletic ability made him a Fullback at Emerson HS (NJ) and SU: strong, tough, smart, humble, unselfish blocker for QBs, opening holes for RBs. Key contributor to undefeated 1983 MAC champs. Overcame adversity as a senior in 1984. Computer Science degree from SU (1985). Earned Master’s degree in Criminal Science at night from Rutgers (1990), while starting a 31 year career in law enforcement: policeman: 4 years, FBI agent for 27 years: anti-drug trafficking in Washington, D.C., Organized Crime Task Force in New York City. On Sept. 11, 2001, he was among the first responders at the World Trade Center, running into the fire and mayhem, protecting and rescuing others, while surviving the collapse of both towers. He then led over 100 agents and police in counterterrorism efforts in New York. Served over 2 years in Afghanistan for the FBI, deployed with U.S. military task forces which captured some of the world’s most dangerous terrorists. Two such task forces, including one he led, received the most prestigious award given by the FBI (Directors’ Award) for extraordinary contributions to communities and missions accomplished. The values taught by his parents and lessons learned in Football served Gary well on other fields of battle, where the outcomes are measured in lives, not points. Now retired from the FBI, he combats cyber enabled fraud for a large financial company. In his limited spare time, he gathers with family and many of his fellow SU Football teammates. He has helped SU students with career opportunities, and shares with them his valuable expertise and remarkable career experiences.