Adam Muzika signs to attend Brown University
Uniontown All-State linebacker Adam Muzika (seated, center) is flanked by his parents Karen Muzika and Ted Muzika as he signs with Brown University. Standing (from left) at the signing ceremony are coach Bob Keys, coach Von Braddock, Uniontown Athletic Director and head football coach John Fortugna and Uniontown High School Principal Pete Bozick. They didn’t just give Adam Muzika his 3.9 grade-point average at Uniontown High School. He earned it and he proved that point again Tuesday when he discussed his decision to attend Brown University to advance his academic and athletic careers.
“This is not a four-year decision, like a lot of people think it is,” Muzika said. “It’s a 40-year decision.”
That’s why Muzika, Uniontown’s All-State linebacker, selected Brown over two other notable Ivy League institutions (Princeton and Dartmouth) and why he didn’t give much thought to some late interest from several Mid-American Conference (MAC) teams.
“A lot of MAC schools showed interest late, but that’s where education came into play,” Muzika said. “In the Ivy League, you’re going to get your education regardless of what happens on the field and your degree means a lot more coming from an Ivy League school.”
Muzika said it was a combination of Brown’s academic credentials and the school’s consistently strong football program that made his decision an easy one.
“Brown is always in the top two or three in the Ivy League standings,” he said. “Last year, they were 2-8, but they lost 15 starters, including their top four tailbacks, with injuries. They won the Ivy League title two years in a row and finished second in the three years prior to last season.
“It’s an excellent program and the coaches are unbelievable. I know I made the right decision.”
Muzika said he will play defensive line at Brown, a position he played at Uniontown before moving to linebacker. “They have only three defensive linemen on their roster right now, so I’m hoping to be able to play right away,” he said. “My goal is to make the traveling squad as a freshman.”
The son of Ted and Karen Muzika of Uniontown will major in biology at brown, with hopes of going to medical school and becoming an orthopedic surgeon.
As for the recruiting process, Muzika breathed a sigh of relief that it is behind him.
“I’m glad it’s over,” he said. “It was nice getting all that attention, but it was like pulling teeth trying to figure out which coaches liked you, which ones were sincere.
“I’m happy I went through it, but I’m happy that it’s over with. If it had lasted any longer, my parents would have gone crazy.”
Muzika was very grateful to Uniontown coach John Fortugna for his years of dedication to Uniontown’s football program and to all of Uniontown’s assistant coaches for helping him become the player he is.
“I can’t thank coach Fortugna or his assistants enough,” Muzika said. “I’m glad to be a Red Raider and thankful for all the support of everyone who followed our team. That’s something I’ll carry with me all through my life.”