I ripped open what is normally given to the daughter to color upon. There is no link to the story, so I will hand type the article. I used the return carriage quite liberally. I find this easier on the eyes. Please pardon any typos, as well. The clunky writing is that of the author, however. The article was written by a Mike Klimko - an obvious Buckeye fan as I will point out. My comments will be in brackets.
The writing was sub-par at best. Mike Klimko is one of the only writers they have so he cranks out quite a few stories. He's also a photographer. Hey, it's a local rag, so it can't be as good as USA Today [ducking].The football journey for collegian Mitch Hewitt concluded at Bowling Green State University after five years, four as a layer, with the NCAA Division I-AA [ :rant: durn Buckeye fan. A letter has already been written and sent, folks] program bucking to crack the top 25 teams in the nation.
"I devoted so much time to fooball that when I cme to the end of college, it was tough to walk away and be done with it," the standout middle linebacker said. "I couldn't walk away. I needed something to fill the void."
A solution awaited in his old hometown. Remaining a resident of Chardon, Hewitt wanted more than anything to be affiliated with the program that keyed his development as a football player.
Last year, Hilltoppers coach Jim DiPofi welcomed his science pupil at the middle school back to the fold. In 1998, the linebacker and running back helped carry the school to the state championship game [which we freaking LOST on a hook and lateral!].
Things had changed. Memorial Field morphed. The fooball field where he scored touchdowns and recorded sacks was now "goat field," infield to the new oval track. hewitt was struck by a coincidence.
"I seems like whenver you leave, they try to do things," he said. "just like at Bowling Green, they're doing something with their stadium [SEBO]. It seems like a trend that follows me."
Brought on as a volunteer coach, Hewitt quickly became a regular memeber of the football staff. He was put in charge of the linbackers for alumnus and defensive coordinator Dave Bors.
DiPofi had no reservations. he said star player as a rule do not turn out to be coaching material, especially in the NFL. Hewitt had the vital quality. Through and through, he had Topper Power. [I believe there was to be a "however" in that paragraph, but I am uncertain. I'm even more uncertain as to what "Topper Power" is - besides sounding quite gay.]
"When you look at the Chardon Hilltoppers, you look at the defining players," DiPofi said. "You look back at prototypical Hilltoppers players Scott Neill and Mitch hewitt. They define wha the teams are going to be. Nick Goshe was the same way. In the modern era, that would be Jon Bell."
Hewitt confirmed the confidence of DiPofi. The head coach found a great player who was a good coach. And more, Hewitt proved to be a diligent teacher who commandd the respect of his charges.
The first-year coach maintained a close relationship with the linbackers, sitting with them in the pre-game meals and keeping tabs on them. Hewitt worked well, DiPofi noted, with fellow assistant coaches Bors and Bob Francis.
"He's very tough on the players," DiPofi Said. [whew, this guys "says" a lot.] "He's like a father figure. He's very complimentary to them. And he knows when to push them. He knows when to take a kid aside, who might not have the talent to be a good player, and make them better.
"He works very well with Dave Bors to prepare the defense. They're both linbacker types. Mitch is humble, almost apologetic about his role. In meetings, he can be very opinionated and powerful. He speaks his mind."
As a coach, Hewitt does not feel compelled to emulate anyone. He played for three coaches at Bowling Green. A coach has to be himself. What he wants to teach kids is commitment.
"I gave so much to the game I've come to love," he said. "I'm baised. You achieve more as a team than the other sorts. It's mentally challenging and physically demanding. The discipline is something you take with you for years."
Hope you all enjoyed reading it as much as I did yelling at the author through the printed page.
