Two administrators and a football coach are remembering Joe Dado -- a Westmoreland County man whose body was found Monday night at the base of a stairwell on Penn State's University Park campus -- as a conscientious student and athlete.
"He was a wonderful student," said Georgia Teppert, prinicipal of Greater Latrobe High School, from which Dado, 18, graduated this year. "He was the kind of kid everyone knew, always conscientious, always trying to do his best."
Maintenance workers repairing a broken pipe in the Hosler building on the University Park campus found Dado, whose family lives in Unity, about 6 p.m. Authorities believe the Penn State freshman engineering student fell about 15 feet onto concrete and suffered head injuries.
"At this point, there's no reason to suspect foul play," said Steve Shelow, university police director. "This appears to be an accidental fall, but our investigation will, of course, continue as we go over the evidence at the scene."
Dado was discovered near the entrance to the building's mechanical room, about 75 yards from the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity house where Dado was last seen about 3 a.m. Sunday.
He was reported missing that morning, and police began a search, which included use of helicopters and search dogs, as well as a check on the use of Dado's student identification card and bank cards.
University spokesman Geoff Rushton said friends and family became concerned when Dado failed to return to his residence hall, return cell telephone calls or e-mails.
Dado's sister, Natalie, also attends Penn State, where she is a senior engineering student.
Authorities said Dado left East Hall with three other male students about 11:30 p.m. Saturday. The group first visited Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, 321 E. Fairmount Ave., then left for Phi Gamma Delta, known as Fiji, at about 1:15 a.m. Sunday.
Dado's body was taken last night to Mt. Nittany Medical Center, and an autopsy was planned. A toxicology test will be done as part of the autopsy, but those results will not be known immediately.
Attempts last night to speak with Luke Pierce, Penn State Interfraternity Council President, were unsuccessful.
Pat Murray, Dado's football coach, recalled how Dado would first go to soccer practice, then to football practice to work on his kicks as the Wildcats' placekicker.
"He was a super young man," Murray said. "He was a tremendous kicker and an even better human being.
"I just can't say enough good things about Joe. He was a great person, a great soccer player and a great kid to be around. He was a model student-athlete."
Teppert said counseling services will be made available today to students.
Chad Krehlik, Greater Latrobe high school assistant principal, described Dado as well-liked by staff and students.
"He was a pleasure to have in our school," he said. "He will be sadly missed. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family and all who knew Joe."
Reporter Paul Peirce contributed to this story.
