August 25, 1998

LAS VEGAS - UNLV senior offensive guard Jerald Pierucci has been named a member of the 1998 All-American Farm Football Team, the school announced Tuesday.

Pierucci, a native of Bakersfield, Calif., was named to the first team by Successful Farming magazine in a story that appears in the publication's September 1 issue.

Pierucci, who is slated to begin his fourth year starting on the Rebels' offensive line this fall, will have a $500 scholarship donated to the university's general scholarship fund in his name. Also, all first-team selections will be honored with a plaque.

Selection of the team, which is in it fourth year, is made by a panel of judges comprised of sports writers and broadcasters, college coaches and sports information directors. Only student-athletes who have a background in farming and or ranching are eligible.

Pierucci's parents, Roy and Gail Pierucci own 1,500 acres of farmland in central California. The family's crops include grapes, almonds, carrots and sugar beets. A six-year member of the 4-H Club Pierucci regularly worked on the farm before heading to college. A 1994 graduate of Shafter High School, he started 30 consecutive games for UNLV before missing the final four games of last season with an injury.