In a 15-minute telephone conversation Michael Stimac shatters every negative stereotype of the college athlete, while restoring one’s faith in the next generation.
Stimac is a national semifinalist for one of amateur athletics’ most prestigious honors — the Draddy Award — which measures more than a college football players’ total touchdowns or tackles, but recognizes academic achievement as well as community service.
“This feels quite humbling, and it’s nice to know people actually recognize the nice work you do,” said Stimac, who wants to teach high school English, then become an administrator.
Stimac is a 6-time Deans List member (cumulative 4.0 GPA as an English/secondary education major) and currently serves as vice-president of the Alpha Iota Kappa chapter of Sigma Tau Delta (international English honorary), is a member of Kappa Delta Pi (international education honorary), is an English tutor, has been a 3-time Presidents’ Athletic Conference Academic Honor Roll recipient, and was chosen as PAC Scholar-Athlete of the month (September). He also is a member of that SAAC board, served as an organizer for campus and community (Shenango Valley River) clean-up endeavors, acted as a residence hall assistant and a youth football camp counselor/instructor, and is a member of his East Brady-based Baptist church’s youth group. In 2002 he and his teammates “adopted” an East Indian child as part of Compassion International. He has continued to correspond with the youth, now 12.
During his 3è-year, 43-game Thiel tenure (25 starts), the 5-foot-10, 200-pound linebacker has 156 tackles (83 solos, 9èfor lost yardage) and forced 5 fumbles. He was ’06 All-PAC honorable-mention.
Here’s a sampling of Stimac’s sentiments:
ä “God plays a key role in my life ... without God, none of this would be possible.”
ä “My parents (Chris and Mike) instilled great morals in me, to help people out ... my parents are always proud of everything I do, although (his nomination for) this award astounds them, in part.” Stimac cited his mother, “an avid reader who also writes a lot, so I was always exposed to that and enamored with books and writing,” including his favorite author Hemingway.
ä His appreciation and admiration for teachers/professors past and present include Karns City High’s Patricia Bell and Carol Fleeger and Thiel education department instructors Connie Reinhart and David Shaffer and English department professor Dr. Mary Theresa Hall.
ä “When I got to Thiel, with the help of coach (Jack) Leipheimer, I wanted to be in a leadership position, wanted to be part of the community and get some things done because we owe a lot to the community for our success, both in football and the classroom. I feel kind of obliged to do that for their support.
“I’m proud to be a part of this school, and that’s what’s shaped me.”
Ed Farrell is assistant sports editor for The Herald
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Thiel's Stimac a very impressive student-athlete
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