Sean McDermott
Contributing Writer
Maintaining school and athletics can be stressful for any student-athlete, but for a few unique North Central athletes they’ve managed to split time between school, football and the ROTC program.
Sophomore defensive lineman Chaz Nichols and freshman linebacker Justin Stuursma have previously served in the military before coming to North Central College. “These two guys bring a different type of experience and leadership qualities to the football program,” said defensive coordinator Mike Murray. “It’s good that our players have learned from their unique experiences.”
Listening to every word from these veterans attentively is freshman fullback Ben Wiley and sophomore linebacker Mitch Reid, who are currently enrolled in the ROTC at Wheaton College. The main purpose of the Army ROTC is to enable college students to pursue a course of study, which will qualify them, upon graduation, for appointment as officers in the United States Army, Army Reserve or National Guard.
Guiding these young cadets is Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) James D. Hoyman. A graduate of the Army at the United States Military Academy at West Point, who spent majority of his deployment time in Iraq from 2002-2005.
“He’s a great leader, “ explained Reid. “He completely understands everything we’re doing by being in college and getting our first taste of the army.”
A typical day for these student-athletes who are splitting their time with the ROTC can be a stressful one. The day starts off with school and athletics before properly dressing in the ROTC uniform that is assigned for that day.
Each day at the ROTC the cadets have to learn a specific task, whether it’s basic rifleman’s ship to tactic movements. The cadets go through three hours of training before going on a dinner break. After the break the cadets return for military class that usually lasts an hour or two.
“With all the stress the Cardinals coaching staff has found a way to make this hectic time for these student-athlete cadets a relaxing one. “They’ve made the football program such a great environment to be a member of,” said Wiley.
Wiley, whose father has been apart of the military for 30 years, has always wanted to play football and be apart of the military. “Being able to say I’m apart of a successful football program and also a member of the ROTC is something I’m proud of.”
These Cardinals players go above and beyond the call of duty. Each of these four players has successfully managed their time serving our country and brining pride not only to our Cardinals football team but the entire nation.
“We have a lot of pride at the fact that these guys are doing what they’re doing,” said a proud Murray. “We are respectful of their contributions to the military and are very proud of these guys who have served or will be after college.”
