Local News

New Academy principal part of PSU chain crew

Heverly started new school role in August

UNIVERSITY PARK -- Gary Heverly Jr. has one of the best seats in the house when the Penn State Nittany Lions take the field at Beaver Stadium.

But don't think the 53-year-old Heverly gets caught up in the gridiron action -- at least not too much.

Heverly is part of the chain crew, or "chain gang," who are a group of assistants to the football referee.

The assistants manage the large orange poles that mark the first down line. They are the guys who set the 10-yard chain up whenever a first down occurs and ensure that the location of the ball is measured correctly.

Heverly's crew is also stationed on the home sideline, so he's stood next to the likes of Saquan Barkley, Micah Parsons and Sean Clifford to name a few Penn State players from the past decade.

"To be there in the thick of it, in the middle of the action is pretty neat," Heverly said. "We're all pretty happy to be experiencing what we're experiencing.

"It's the neatest thing, just imagine being there when the players are going out through the tunnel," he added. "Just to be right there."

Of course, the job is pressure packed. Fans only notice the chain crew when they make a mistake. "You want to make sure you do it right," Heverly said. "Especially with 85,000 to 110,000 people watching you."

Heverly is usually the crew member who marks the down, distant, and spot of the ball for review. He's served in that position since the last two years of the Joe Paterno era, followed by Bill O'Brien and now James Franklin.

"You see the different coaches and players and know what's always happening on the Penn State side," he explained. "You know who's over there.

"I simply mark down where the ball is," he added. "Sometimes, it's a little hectic with the hurry-up offenses. You can't get caught with your feet in the sand. You have to remember you're doing a job."

Although members of the chain crew don't get paid; it's all volunteer work. The thrill of the experience is enough for Heverly, who "grew up a Penn State fan for as long as I can remember," he said.

Sometimes, the thrills can be too much of a close call. A picture in his office shows Barkley flying through the air in 2016 against Michigan State after getting tackled, headed straight for Heverly.

It's all part of the job for Heverly, who was also hired as the new principal of the Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology in August. He came to Mifflin County after spending the past nine years working with students as a career counselor at the Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology in Pleasant Gap, Centre County.

Heverly, who earned his bachelor's degree at Lock Haven University with master's degrees from both Wilmington College (Del.) and Penn State, lives in Bellefonte with his wife, Danielle. They have three children.

"Every day is a new learning experience," Heverly said. "I love the people I work with here. I appreciate the opportunity I've been given and am happy to be around a great group of people."

Prior to working at CPI, Heverly worked in the Bald Eagle Area School District for more than a decade, serving as prevention coordinator from 2003 to 2008 and senior high school counselor from 2008 to 2015.

He also had stints working for the CSG Counsel House in Bellefonte and Eagle Valley Community Residential Rehabilitation in Milesburg.

"Helping people is my passion," Heverly told the Operating Committee after receiving their stamp of approval. "When I take a position, you get the very best of me."

Heverly was also very involved in his community, serving as a school board member at BEA and coaching in area youth leagues in football and baseball. At BEA, he also coached football, baseball, wrestling and softball in different capacities.