A Visit with former WPIAL champion football player Tyler Palko


Background Info: Tyler Palko is a graduate of West Allegheny High School and University of Pittsburgh. Palko earned nine varsity letters in football, basketball, and track. The Indians won WPIAL Class 3A titles in 1999, 2000, and 2001 with Palko running the offense. West Allegheny advanced to the PIAA final all three seasons and captured a title in 2001. Palko was recognized on the Associated Press All-State Team three times and was named Big School Player of the Year in 2001. He was also the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Player of the Year in 2001. Palko was a four-year letterman and three-year starter at quarterback for Pitt. Finished his career at Pitt tied for 2nd in career TD passes (66), passing yards (8,343 – second behind Dan Marino) and was the only three-time team captain in Panther football history. He was also a two-time All-Big East performer. Palko had a five-year career in the National Football League and played for four franchises: New Orleans, Pittsburgh, Arizona, and Kansas City. Palko is the Director of Leadership Development for Solutions 21.

Tyler Palko's thoughts on winning three WPIAL titles.
We won three consecutive WPIAL titles. The first was in 1999 and was played at Three Rivers Stadium. I grew up watching baseball and football games at that stadium. It was great to finally get to play there, but it was a miserable place to get tackled. The astroturf was like a rock. The other two title games were at Heinz Field. We closed down Three Rivers and opened Heinz Field. Playing in front of big crowds was no big deal for us. We had big crowds in many of our regular season games.

Palko's thoughts on winning a PIAA title.
We made it to the state finals all three years, but lost the first two years. In 2001, we were the first team from the Western half of the state to win a state title in our class. That was something we really wanted to do and able to accomplish that goal.

Tyler Palko's thoughts on playing for his father Bob Palko at West Allegheny.
Playing for dad is one of the coolest things. But it can also be a pain the butt. He was at every and practice. It got dicey at times. But he is a legand. I was fortunate to be coached by him. I played a part in his 40-year coaching career. That was special.

Palko's thoughts on Western Pennsylvania now that he's living in Kansas.
Being from Western Pennsylvania, I'm proud to carry the torch. Not living in Pittsburgh and living in the Midwest now, it’s one of those things where you miss it and you kind of take for granted growing up in that area playing sports. Not to say that Kansas City doesn’t have a good sports town, but it’s nowhere near what it’s like to play on Friday nights or Saturdays in Western Pennsylvania.