VARSITY ATHLETICS

October 21, 2008

Spartans Put English On Defensive Side Of Ball

By Freshman Defensive Lineman Dale English (Middleburg Heights, OH)

Coming from a smaller high school I’m used to knowing everyone and being relatively close to my classmates. When I came to Case I had a similar feeling. Even though there are thousands of students I don’t know, I still feel a family-like essence when I’m here. Fortunately, with my mother working in the Case School of Dental Medicine and my older sister being here I was familiar with the campus, which influenced my decision to come to Case. I am confident the education I will receive here will take me farther than I could ever imagine. Finishing my first set of midterms, I feel that my work load is pretty hefty, but it goes with the territory of attending such a school as Case.

Being a part of the football team opens many opportunities to seek advice and help from classmates and upperclassmen that have been through it all. I’m also joining a fraternity (Phi Delta Theta) where I am surrounded by great guys who not only are intelligent but can help with anything I could ever need. The brotherhood from both the fraternity and the football team makes it easy to feel comfortable in such a new atmosphere. The professors here are also easily accessible.

As for football, I’ve always worked hard to achieve my goals and coming to Case didn’t change that. I was lucky enough to get the chance to play and I tried to make the best of it. Being a Spartan football player, to many doesn’t seem like a big deal (there are still people who don’t know there is a football team here) but to me it’s another great accomplishment. I am surrounded by a great deal of talent on the football field. Having so many great players like Bobby Bott, Dan Whalen, Brian Calderone, and Gian Genovesi shows how teamwork can bring you success. When an opposing offensive line has to deal with Brian Calderone, Gian Genovesi, Jake Mey, and myself, they know things won’t be easy.

Every day we practice hard to prepare for our next challenge. The daily, “Stay low! Come on!” from D-line Coach Taylor always straightens us out when we may be getting lazy. Our success is not just handed to us; we work hard every day to be a cohesive team. I am just happy I can make a contribution to that success of the Spartans.

This season has started off extraordinarily. With an undefeated regular season last year, this one is showing great promise. We cannot afford to overlook any opponent but I am extremely confident with the team. With our league play beginning in a few weeks, I know we will prepare for each opponent as we have for every other. By hard work and determination, we won’t settle for anything less than another ring and playoff appearance.

My personal goals have been to do my best when I get playing time and to overall contribute anyway I can to the team. As a freshman I am learning a lot from the upperclassmen and leaders of the team. Hopefully, one day, I will be able to lead the Spartans to a winning year. Is it all luck? Seems to me all our effort is paying off.

Posted by: Creg Jantz October 21, 2008 12:40 PM | Category: Football

Posted by: cnj4 (Creg Jantz) October 21, 2008 12:40 PM | Comments (0) | Trackback