A young Paul Romeo Carapellotti surely gave little thought to the influence he would one day have on what would become Franciscan University of Steubenville, as well as upon his yet-to-be-born son, Paul Pat. As a 1937 graduate of Steubenville Catholic High School, all the senior Carapellotti wanted to do was play football at a higher level, but finances, a small stature and a stint in the Air Force stood in his way.

Upon returning from the Air Force, and after discussing the situation with officials at College of Steubenville, as it was known in those start-up years, the answer was easy – start a football team. So the Barons, named after Baron Von Steuben, came into existence and fielded a team in 1947, led by Head Coach Brady “Doc” Sullivan, which went 4-4-1 including a win over then perennial power St. Francis.

Although life for the Baron football team was short-lived, it would lead to a long-term relationship between the school and the Carapellotti family. His father, who started his schooling at the College of Steubenville but was graduated from the University of Miami, went on to serve as a trustee at Franciscan from 1980 to 1992, and his mother was a long-time member of the university’s Women’s Club as well as serving as secretary to the first president of the college.

Taking the lead from his dad, Paul presently serves on the school’s board of trustees, and has been both a vocal and active promoter of Baron Athletics. As a person of extreme influence, he has become the go-to leader of the university’s primary fundraiser, the annual Baron Club dinner.

Many might recall that the Barons actually dropped NCAA athletics in 1981. Paul and deceased trustee Paul Nigro led the effort to restore the program, and Paul is so proud that Baron athletics are back.  The two Pauls worked to ensure the $3,000,000 expansion and renovation of the Finnegan Fieldhouse would become a reality, and the Carapellotti family provided a major donation securing the Paul R. and Dahlia Carapellotti Baron Room and Lounge at Finnegan Fieldhouse in honor of their parents.

A 1972 graduate of Steubenville Catholic Central High School, Paul received his bachelor of arts degree in 1976 from Furman University, followed by his master’s degree in 1978 from Furman – Clemson University. A competitive athlete, he was a three-year letter winner on the football team and served as a graduate assistant football coach in 1976 and 1977.

Following college, Paul worked for more than 20 years in national account sales primarily with telecommunication and technology products to the hotel industry with BellSouth/AT&T, RCA and Hitachi Telecom. In 2001, he joined his now deceased brother Mike and his brother Albert in the family business, serving as an officer, director and shareholder in Anthony Mining Company. Never one to rest on his laurels, Paul also became involved with the family’s affiliated companies - Jeffco Resources, Richmond Mill, Go Hauling, S&D Construction, Steuben Coal-Anthony Mining and Ft. Steuben Management.  

With all his accomplishments, Paul’s faith has always been a large part of his life, following an example set early by his parents. He is a reader and a Eucharistic minister at St. Bernard Parish in Mt. Lebanon, Pa.

In addition to his involvement as a trustee and with the Baron Club at Franciscan, Paul is on the Board of Advisors for the Center for Hope in Steubenville along with the Diocese of Steubenville’s Mission Advancement Planning Advisory Task Force. He was a long-time director of the former Sky and Huntington Bank’s Ohio Valley Region and is an active member of the Knights of Columbus, the Italian Sons and Daughters of America and the Furman Football Players Association.

Paul is most proud of his family’s legacy with regards to the Portiuncula, a replica of St. Francis’ tiny church in Assisi which was the center of his activity. It is a grace-filled haven on Franciscan University’s campus for quiet meditation and Eucharistic adoration.  By the generosity of the Vatican it was designated as an Indulgence site.

He and his wife, Sanna, reside in Pittsburgh. They have two children, Julian and Anna.