Princeton's Dibilio improving after stroke

Jan 25, 2012 - 6:40 PM Princeton, NJ (Sports Network) - Princeton football player Chuck Dibilio is continuing to recover from the stroke he suffered last Thursday night, the Ivy League university announced Wednesday.

"I continue to be encouraged by the progress Chuck Dibilio is making on a daily basis," head coach Bob Surace said. "It is no surprise to anyone that knows Chuck that he is facing every challenge presented to him by the medical staff with the same enthusiasm, competitiveness and effort that we saw on the football field. I appreciate the outpouring of support that the Princeton football family has given Chuck to help him towards a full recovery."

Dibilio, the 2011 Ivy League Football Rookie of the Year, is recovering at a Philadelphia hospital after being taken there from the Princeton campus. The 19-year-old from Nazareth, Pa., had a clot in the main artery of his brain removed last Friday morning.

His father, Chuck Dibilio Sr., told the Express-Times of Easton, Pa., "He's making huge strides. Physically, he's back to normal. His speech is back to normal. He has a clear recollection of what happened. The only problem he has is with speech recognition, and that will come with time."

Dibilio set an Ivy League record for a freshman by rushing for 1,068 yards this past season. He also scored eight touchdowns and was named to the Ivy League first team.

He finished fifth in the voting for the 2011 Jerry Rice Award, which honors the FCS freshman of the year, is presented by The Sports Network and sponsored by Fathead.com.