Dorondo

BUTLER TWP— Two-way lineman Anthony McElhinny and versatile Aaron Dorondo will continue their academic and football careers at Robert Morris University.

The two Butler seniors mark the third and fourth Golden Tornado players to commit to college football programs this off-season. Quarterback Nick Monteleone is headed to Seton Hill University and punter-kickerChris Haley is going to Grove City College.

The 5-foot-10, 275-pound McElhinny was recruited as a defensive tackle by RMUdespite spending the majority of his high school varsity time at offensive left tackle.

"It shouldn't be a problem making the adjustment,"McElhinny said. "I played some defensive tackle in high school and I practiced at the position every day.

"I always figured I'd be playing defensive line in college anyway."

McElhinny also considered Division IIShippensburg and Division IIIMarietta (Ohio) before deciding on Division I-AARobert Morris.

"Robert Morris is the school he honed in on from his initial visit there,"former Butler coach Garry Cathell said of McElhinny.

Robert Morris is coming off a 7-4 season and has experienced only three losing seasons in 13 campaigns under former NFLcoach Joe Walton.

Walton began the Colonials football program in 1994. Former Pittsburgh Steelers assistant coach Dan Radakovich and former Steelers defensive lineman John Banaszak are members of his staff.

Banaszak is RMU's defensive line and special teams coach.

"The whole coaching staff there either has big-time college experience or pro experience,"McElhinny said. "It'll be great to learn from the best.

"I don't know if I'll get on the field right away because there's some good linemen in front of me. But by my junior and senior year — maybe even as a sophomore — I think I can get on the field."

Dorondo played fullback, tailback, tight end and linebacker his senior year at Butler. He had 57 carries for 342 yards and two touchdowns, 13 receptions for 164 yards and one score.

The 6-2, 225-pound Dorondo was recruited as an outside linebacker by the Colonials. He also considered Waynesburg, Washington &Jefferson and Allegheny, all Division IIIschools."I was hoping to play defense in college,"Dorondo said. "It was important to me to go somewhere that had a solid coaching staff and a winning tradition.""Aaron's stock really went up in the eyes of recruiters once we switched him to tailback," Cathell said. "They could see what type of athlete he is."Dorondo also shined at the one-day Joe Butler scouting combine."He never settled into a position for us because we needed him in so many different areas, and Aaron is a team guy,"Cathell said.Dorondo had 50 tackles for Butler last season while shuttling between middle linebacker and outside linebacker. He had 68 tackles his junior season."Robert Morris graduated a starting linebacker last year and I may be able to be the fourth linebacker when they play a 34,"Dorondo said. "Otherwise, they'll probably redshirt me."McElhinny plans to major in graphic design. Dorondo is undecided on his major.

McElhinny