Temple University Athletics
OL Wayne Tribue
Wayne Tribue: Tough as a Camel
9.19.11 | Football
Gameday Feature Story
by Cathy Bongiovi, Athletic Communications
Most little boys spend their time learning how to ride a bike and play baseball in the backyard. Temple's Wayne Tribue didn't get to do those things until later; he was too busy riding camels.
Born in Philadelphia and eventually raised in York, Pa., Tribue spent his early years living in the Middle East.
“We left Philly, because of my dad's job,” Tribue said. “We lived all over the place. We lived in Egypt for two years and Oman for a little bit. All before grade school.”
Tribue's father Cyrus worked for the U.S. Embassy. While overseas, the Tribue family took advantage of the sight-seeing opportunities.
“We did all the pyramids; we'd go ride camels,” Tribue shared. “I just love camels; they're my favorite animal. I can't remember everything, because I was so young. Sometimes they'll show a place on t.v., and I'll remember, 'We were there'.”
Tribue arrived in York in time to start kindergarten. It wasn't long until sports became a permanent part of his life.
“I started playing football when I was 10,” he said. “It was just something that my friends and I picked up. And I've been playing football ever since.”
And his size has always been a factor.
“I was always big for my age,” Tribue said. “The worst was when I played Little League and had to make weight. I always had to be on a diet and do extra conditioning to get (my weight) down. From high school on up, without the weight limit, I just grew.”
At Central York High School, Tribue flourished on the gridiron and in the classroom. A team captain, the three-year starter showed his versatility. As a sophomore, he played right tackle, helping the team to an 11-1 record en route to the division championship. As a junior, Tribue switched to left tackle. As a senior in 2007, he played where ever he was needed along the offensive line, helping the team to a 7-3 mark and state playoff berth. The All-State honoree and first-team All-York County selection participated in the Big 33 All-Star Game, one of a school record five Temple Owls to play in the 2008 classic.
In the classroom, Tribue carried a 4.017 GPA while taking honors classes. The Honor Roll student and National Honor Society member was the recipient of the Top 5% Academic Achievement.
With success in both areas, Tribue relied on his academics when selecting a college.
“I picked Temple for multiple reasons. If I had to pick a school if I wasn't playing football-- that's how I went into it-- I would have selected Temple,” Tribue said. “It's close to home. And my parents could come to every game. They've been to every game since I was 10 years old. I have family here. It was a good fit.”
Tribue's talents were put to work right away at Temple. As a true freshman in 2008, he played in all 12 games with nine starts at left guard. He was one of just six freshmen to play in every game and made the most starting appearances of any freshman.
In 2009, Tribue played in 13 games with five starts at left guard. He helped the Owls to the MAC East co-championship and their first bowl appearance in 30 years and was named the team's 2009 Offensive MVP as a member of the offensive line.
As a junior, Tribue was named the most improved offensive player following 2010 spring drills. Last fall, he played in 11 games with six starts, four at left guard and two at center. Tribue has also been cited on the Athletic Director's Honor Roll.
This year with a new coaching staff, the 6-4, 324-lb. offensive lineman said the off-season conditioning program was very different.
“When we came back from winter break, we were all heavy. I was around 340. They had us all slim down and rebuild back up,” he said.
Tribue's senior season is off and running. The four-year starter received the nod at right guard for the first two games, helping Temple to two consecutive wins to start the season.
“Wayne brings experience,” said Justin Frye, the offensive line coach. “Not all of our guys had had that, so it's good. (Against Villanova) he brought a high motor. He's a high-intensity guy which is what we need the rest of the year. A lot of guys have to step up, see that, and join the club. Because he's doing that right now and bringing a good effort and good intensity, and that's what we need.”
Senior captain and center John Palumbo, who has played alongside Tribue for four years, agrees.
“Wayne is a big, physically strong guy who brings toughness to the team,” Palumbo said. “He's been around a long time, and I'm used to playing with him. I just love playing next to him. He's a guy you can trust.”
In his free time, Tribue enjoys going to the movies (comedies are his favorite) and helping out in the community. Temple's nominee for the prestigious Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, Tribue had the most community service events during the 2010-11 academic year with 12. Tribue has participated in the annual bone marrow donor drive, the Thanksgiving food drive, the Diamond Street clean-up, the One Child Saved campaign, Partnership Field Day, Owls for the Cure, and the Shore Tour as well as numerous hospital visits and Ronald McDonald House visits.
For his efforts, Tribue earned the Owl Outreach monthly award for community service three times in 2010. Along with his teammates, Temple football earned back-to-back T.E.A.M. [Temple's Exceptional Acts for Mankind] Awards from the Athletic Department as well as the 2009 Robert P. Levy Community Service Award from the Philadelphia Sports Congress. Last month the Owls were named the 2011 Most Valuable Players by the Philadelphia Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
With 10 more regular-season games to play before postseason, Tribue is undecided what his future holds. The biochemistry major is contemplating medical school.
“I'm not sure right now. I took the MCATs about a month ago, so we'll see,” he said. “That's an option. Hopefully I'll still be playing football.”
Just like the camels he rode a child, Tribue will continue to be big, strong, and Temple TUFF.
Most little boys spend their time learning how to ride a bike and play baseball in the backyard. Temple's Wayne Tribue didn't get to do those things until later; he was too busy riding camels.
Born in Philadelphia and eventually raised in York, Pa., Tribue spent his early years living in the Middle East.
“We left Philly, because of my dad's job,” Tribue said. “We lived all over the place. We lived in Egypt for two years and Oman for a little bit. All before grade school.”
Tribue's father Cyrus worked for the U.S. Embassy. While overseas, the Tribue family took advantage of the sight-seeing opportunities.
“We did all the pyramids; we'd go ride camels,” Tribue shared. “I just love camels; they're my favorite animal. I can't remember everything, because I was so young. Sometimes they'll show a place on t.v., and I'll remember, 'We were there'.”
Tribue arrived in York in time to start kindergarten. It wasn't long until sports became a permanent part of his life.
“I started playing football when I was 10,” he said. “It was just something that my friends and I picked up. And I've been playing football ever since.”
And his size has always been a factor.
“I was always big for my age,” Tribue said. “The worst was when I played Little League and had to make weight. I always had to be on a diet and do extra conditioning to get (my weight) down. From high school on up, without the weight limit, I just grew.”
At Central York High School, Tribue flourished on the gridiron and in the classroom. A team captain, the three-year starter showed his versatility. As a sophomore, he played right tackle, helping the team to an 11-1 record en route to the division championship. As a junior, Tribue switched to left tackle. As a senior in 2007, he played where ever he was needed along the offensive line, helping the team to a 7-3 mark and state playoff berth. The All-State honoree and first-team All-York County selection participated in the Big 33 All-Star Game, one of a school record five Temple Owls to play in the 2008 classic.
In the classroom, Tribue carried a 4.017 GPA while taking honors classes. The Honor Roll student and National Honor Society member was the recipient of the Top 5% Academic Achievement.
With success in both areas, Tribue relied on his academics when selecting a college.
“I picked Temple for multiple reasons. If I had to pick a school if I wasn't playing football-- that's how I went into it-- I would have selected Temple,” Tribue said. “It's close to home. And my parents could come to every game. They've been to every game since I was 10 years old. I have family here. It was a good fit.”
Tribue's talents were put to work right away at Temple. As a true freshman in 2008, he played in all 12 games with nine starts at left guard. He was one of just six freshmen to play in every game and made the most starting appearances of any freshman.
In 2009, Tribue played in 13 games with five starts at left guard. He helped the Owls to the MAC East co-championship and their first bowl appearance in 30 years and was named the team's 2009 Offensive MVP as a member of the offensive line.
As a junior, Tribue was named the most improved offensive player following 2010 spring drills. Last fall, he played in 11 games with six starts, four at left guard and two at center. Tribue has also been cited on the Athletic Director's Honor Roll.
This year with a new coaching staff, the 6-4, 324-lb. offensive lineman said the off-season conditioning program was very different.
“When we came back from winter break, we were all heavy. I was around 340. They had us all slim down and rebuild back up,” he said.
Tribue's senior season is off and running. The four-year starter received the nod at right guard for the first two games, helping Temple to two consecutive wins to start the season.
“Wayne brings experience,” said Justin Frye, the offensive line coach. “Not all of our guys had had that, so it's good. (Against Villanova) he brought a high motor. He's a high-intensity guy which is what we need the rest of the year. A lot of guys have to step up, see that, and join the club. Because he's doing that right now and bringing a good effort and good intensity, and that's what we need.”
Senior captain and center John Palumbo, who has played alongside Tribue for four years, agrees.
“Wayne is a big, physically strong guy who brings toughness to the team,” Palumbo said. “He's been around a long time, and I'm used to playing with him. I just love playing next to him. He's a guy you can trust.”
In his free time, Tribue enjoys going to the movies (comedies are his favorite) and helping out in the community. Temple's nominee for the prestigious Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, Tribue had the most community service events during the 2010-11 academic year with 12. Tribue has participated in the annual bone marrow donor drive, the Thanksgiving food drive, the Diamond Street clean-up, the One Child Saved campaign, Partnership Field Day, Owls for the Cure, and the Shore Tour as well as numerous hospital visits and Ronald McDonald House visits.
For his efforts, Tribue earned the Owl Outreach monthly award for community service three times in 2010. Along with his teammates, Temple football earned back-to-back T.E.A.M. [Temple's Exceptional Acts for Mankind] Awards from the Athletic Department as well as the 2009 Robert P. Levy Community Service Award from the Philadelphia Sports Congress. Last month the Owls were named the 2011 Most Valuable Players by the Philadelphia Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
With 10 more regular-season games to play before postseason, Tribue is undecided what his future holds. The biochemistry major is contemplating medical school.
“I'm not sure right now. I took the MCATs about a month ago, so we'll see,” he said. “That's an option. Hopefully I'll still be playing football.”
Just like the camels he rode a child, Tribue will continue to be big, strong, and Temple TUFF.
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