"It's great," he remembered saying, "that my oldest kid has eight offers. But what I could really use is one offer apiece for all eight of my kids."

Especially if the economic mini-meltdown continues.

Well, at least time is on the side of the other seven, as outstanding performances in athletics/academics could also be, and free tuition can't happen for all eight unless it first happens for one, so . . .

Let the celebration begin!

With maybe as many as 75 people - among them all of his siblings and 25-plus family members total - watching yesterday from the first and second floor in the library at St. Joseph's Prep, Arcidiacono, a 6-5, 290-pound junior tackle, made public an oral commitment to Penn State.

He'd spoken immediately beforehand via conference call with coach Joe Paterno, and the Rev. William J. Byron, the Prep's president, made sure to mention that JoePa, also a product of a Jesuit high school was "glad to get a good football player who's had a superb education."

Early word on this one had never quite leaked, and Archie-dee-ock-uh-no noted that his final three also included Florida ("If I was going to go on a plane somewhere, that would have been it") and Rutgers.

As he reached the conclusion of his opening, thanks-to-everybody remarks, delivered in impressive fashion, Arcidiacono slowed down slightly and his mother, Mary, could be seen fumbling slightly with something below the table-top level.

Mark continued, "At this time, I'd like to announce that, uh" . . . a little last scrambling, accompanied by laughter . . . "that I'm accepting a scholarship to play football for Penn State University."

To loud applause, which lasted 28 seconds and was accompanied by assorted hoots and hollers, he then tugged on the cap.

Mark the dad, a first team Daily News All-City lineman at Father Judge in '82, and then a Temple Owl, said he would have predicted PSU all along.

"Our family [TV] tradition has always been Penn State on Saturdays, the Eagles on Sundays - like lots of kids in the Philly area," he said. "Mark's been a diehard fan. The hats, the jerseys, everything. When you come to realize that Penn State wants your kid . . . What's not to love?

"Know what, though? I never took Mark to a game up there. I knew he'd love it. I didn't want him to be disappointed in case he didn't get recruited on that level.

"But Penn State's a perfect fit. He's the kind of kid they've always had. Big and strong - looks like a lumberjack - and hard working."

When Arcidiacono finally did attend a Nittany Lions game, it was the recent spring contest. The coaching staff invited Mark and Mary and their eight kids, ranging from age 17 to 8 (Gavin, Brandon, Nicholas, Jane Mary, Matthew and twins Bridget and Brian), and all got to tour the facilities.

The siblings were lovin' it.

"They were saying to me, 'Why haven't you committed yet? This is it!' " Mark said, laughing. "I could tell. It was where I wanted to be.

"I've been a Penn State fan my whole life. It's an honor for any student to go to Penn State. To be able to play football there is absolutely unreal."

When the regular part of the news conference ended, Mark made himself available for individual interviews around the room. It was great to see his siblings and cousins, eyes as big as saucers, watch in prideful amazement.

In time, we could have a Conlin thing going. Three Conlin brothers - Chris, of Bishop McDevitt; Keith and Kevin, of La Salle - were Penn State grunts in the '80s and '90s and Chris even made the NFL.

Mark Sr. said his son's recruiting process lasted only about 6 weeks, starting when Prep coach Gil Brooks sent out the 2007 highlight tape.

Even as late as Tuesday, Notre Dame and Syracuse were making offers. Other visits were made to Rutgers, West Virginia and Connecticut and Mark mentioned how hard it was to turn away coaches with whom he'd developed relationships.

"You almost want to say yes to everyone," he noted.

One question had to be asked: Is there a concern that Paterno might not even be the coach in '09, let alone for Arcidiacono's entire stint as a Lion?

"I think he'll be there for a while," he responded. "He absolutely loves it. Wants to keep coaching. Watching practice, he has so much energy. Hasn't lost a step. Personally, I don't think he's going to be gone.

"He reassured me he's going be there. He still wants to win a national championship."

And dad has hopes for plenty more news conferences.

"You take each kid at a time," he said. "I'd love to think they'll all get scholarships." *