Navy long-snapper, Penn-Trafford grad Michael Pifer garners attention, honors former POW
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There’s something about being a long-snapper that just fits for Michael Pifer.
The precision. The repetition. The search for perfection with every special teams snap.
An added perk is anonymity. That is, until a mistake is made.
“There’s so much repetition, but you’re trying to find little flaws and correct them. I’ve done it so many times, muscle memory kicks in,” Pifer, a senior at Navy and a Penn-Trafford graduate, said. “Being a long-snapper fits my personality. I don’t like attention. I just like to do my job, get it done and help the team the best I can.”
Pifer, Navy’s starting long-snapper since his junior season, has helped Navy win — a lot. The No. 23 Midshipmen (10-2) earned an invitation to play Kansas State (8-4) at 3:45 p.m. Tuesday in the Liberty Bowl.
The odd thing for Pifer is his abilities have earned him considerable attention in the relatively anonymous world of long-snappers.
Pifer never long snapped before his sophomore year at Penn-Trafford, when coach John Ruane sought a volunteer to replace the regular long-snapper, who was injured. Pifer wanted to get on the field, so he accepted the challenge. Now, he is considered one of the best in college football.
The 6-foot-3, 245-pound Pifer accepted an invitation to play in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl on Jan. 18 in Pasadena, Calif. Pifer also was named first-team All-American by Special Teams University, earned a spot on the Against All Enemies All-Commander in Chief first team and was a candidate for the Mannelly Award, given to the top long-snapper in college football.
Welcome to #Pasadena | The #NFLPABowl would like to welcome @NavyFB LS Michael Pifer (@mikepifer36).
A 2nd year starter who will eventually embark on a Surface Warfare service assignment, Pifer was named a 2019 1st-team All-American by @SpecialTeamsU! #NavyFB #MakeYourMarkinLA pic.twitter.com/pyvPUTeXrO
— The Collegiate Bowl (@NFLPABowl) December 11, 2019
“The things I first noticed about Michael was he had good velocity and was accurate,” said Navy assistant Steve Johns, Pifer’s position coach. “Those are the two things you’re looking for — and whether they have some athletic ability. … He’s done a really nice job. He’s a good snapper, and he deserves the recognition he’s getting.”
It’s been a surreal experience for Pifer, who, upon graduation, is assigned as a surface warfare officer unless he receives interest at the next level.
“Right now, academy athletes are able to pursue a pro career if it’s possible,” Pifer said. “I’m willing to contribute, but that’s, obviously, up to the Navy.”
All Commander-In-Chief Team 2019! Hard work paying off for @mikepifer36 https://t.co/VF5z1apAVk
— Moe DeNillo (@coachmoe022) December 23, 2019
A big part of Navy’s season is its annual game against Army, and the Midshipmen broke a three-game losing streak in the series Dec. 14 with a 31-7 victory at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
The game is one of college football’s great spectacles, and among those with a vested interest in watching Pifer was John Kepchia, along with his family and friends.
The 95-year-old Kepchia, a longtime resident of Greensburg who moved to Penn Township three years ago, is the last survivor of U.S. Navy Torpedo Squadron VT 305, which was shot down May 21, 1944, over the Solomon Islands while flying its 34th mission.
The crew was presumed lost. Kepchia, then 19, suffered a shrapnel wound on top of his head but was not hurt in the crash. He, along with two others who later died in Kepchia’s arms, were captured by Japanese troops and became Prisoners of War. Kepchia contracted malaria four times, and his weight dropped to 74 pounds while in captivity. But he survived and was liberated Sept. 7, 1945, by Australian forces.
The squadron wore a patch — a red donkey on a tan felt — designed by LTJG Richard C. Skobell, the pilot of VT 305. It was manufactured in June 1944 in Australia.
Kepchia’s grandson, Tyler Lavelle, played at Penn-Trafford with Pifer. They were friends growing up, but Pifer did not know Kepchia’s story until reading a Facebook post by Tyler’s mother, Michelle. After reading it, Pifer knew he wanted to honor his friend’s grandfather by wearing his patch for the Army-Navy game. Army and Navy players wear special patches for the game. Some were worn by other family members in the military. Others choose patches because of a look or a significance.
For Pifer, there was a snag. None of the patches from Kepchia’s squadron survived the wreck, but drawings existed, and, through the hard work of Pifer’s mom, Jill DeNillo, they were used to create 10 patches by a company called Wings and Things in Pensacola, Fla. One was sewn on Pifer’s No. 44 jersey for the game. Another was given to Kepchia’s family.
It didn’t take long to spot Pifer wearing it.
“They were watching the game, and my dad knew (Pifer) was No. 44. On the first play, Michael went in to make a tackle, and he could see him wearing his patch,” Michelle Lavelle said. “The feeling we have is one of honor, being humble. Michael wanting to honor my father and his squadron, and we just feel very honored.”
For Pifer, wearing the patch is a favorite moment in a memorable senior season.
“It’s just incredible to represent a man who survived in a squadron where a lot of people died,” Pifer said. “It’s a testament to him and how strong he is that he survived. I was so full of pride, and it was an honor to represent him and his family.”