SAINT IGNATIUS' BLAKE THOMAS ENCOUNTERS A HECTIC TIME, BUT STANDS STRONG IN HIS COMMITMENT (SEE STORY BELOW).
WILDCATS MINI CAMP PROVIDES THE GIFTED TIGHT END WITH A MUCH-NEEDED DIVERSION.
POSTED ON 6/2/11 AT 9:40 P.M.
By Eddie Dwyer
Copyright, June 2011
Just moments after he took part in Saint Ignatius' first mini camp of the 2011 season, Wildcats tight end Blake Thomas from the Class of 2012 looked back on what were four of the most hectic days in his young life.
"After I committed and everything, it was kind of like controversial with all of the stuff going on there (at The Ohio State University), and that was hectic in itself," said Thomas of the oral commitment he made last month to then Head Coach Jim Tressel and the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Coach Tressel "resigned" this week after NCAA violations that stemmed from a tatoo-parlor scandal tarnished the image of the Buckeyes' nationally accalimed football program.
"Waking up, I think it was this past Sunday morning, I had a bunch of texts on my phone and I had a lot of missed calls and stuff," Thomas said. "It was like 10 o'clock in the morning. I had to wake up, make calls to people and do various interviews. On top of that, I was talking to other (Ohio State) recruits at the same time.
"I was talking to Tyvis Powell from Bedford a lot. He's definitely going to be a Buckeye. And Kalis (St. Edward offensive tackle Kyle Kalis) said that if Fickell stays, he stays with his commitment."
Thomas was referring to former Ohio State assistant head coach Luke Fickell, who has been named to replace Tressel for the 2011 season.
Focusing on the Wildcats' drive to wipe out the memory of 2010, which resulted in Saint Ignatius' first losing season in football since 1982, the 6-foot-4, 245-pound Thomas was asked how he looks upon what could be further and more stern sanctions placed on Ohio State by the NCAA later this summer.
"Obviously I wouldn't be happy about it," said Thomas, who considered Boston College, Cincinnati, Indiana, Louisville and Virginia before deciding on the Buckeyes. UCLA also made the trip from the West Coast to make a scholarship offer to Thomas.
"You have to believe in the whole integrity thing when you give a team your word and commit to the school," Thomas continued. "I was sure when I made the decision and I knew everything that could happen. I took all of that into consideration and I'm ready to deal with that, if it happens, once I get to school there.
"Right now, I can focus on the things that matter to me this year."
Thomas can not officially sign with Ohio State until February of 2012.
CHANGE IN VENUE: Thursday's mini camp was moved across the street to Kyle Field because of the new turf and track that are being installed on Wasmer Field. Wildcats Head Coach Chuck Kyle '69 said he is hoping Wasmer Field will be ready for the next mini camp, which is scheduled for the varsity and junior varsity on June 21 at 5 p.m.
The grass and dirt on Kyle Field rekindled memories of the old pre-turf Wasmer Field, the days when dirt and mud used to reign over the grass.
AIR 'CATS: It was just the first time out, but Wildcats quarterbacks Eric Williams '12, the transfer from Jesuit High School (Portland, Ore.), and Matt Hoyer '12, who started last season, each made some nice throws on Thursday.
AND SPEAKING OF CAMPS: As we reported on the corner last month, the Gary Stevens Elite Quarterback/Receiver Academy will take place on Wasmer Field from June 27 through June 30.
The camp, which will run from 1:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. each day, is also open to defensive backs and linebackers.
A former offensive coordinator for the Miami Hurricanes and the Miami Dolphins, Coach Stevens honed the skills of college and NFL greats Bernie Kosar, Dan Marino, Jim Kelly, Steve Walsh, Michael Irvin and Vinny Testaverde.
The camp staff will include Coach Kyle; Wildcats veteran offensive coordinator Nick Restifo; Saint Ignatius assistant coach Elvis Grbac, who was a standout quarterback at St. Joseph High School and the University of Michigan and an All-Pro in the NFL; high school, college and professional coach Joe Perella; Strongsville head coach Russ Jacques; Lakewood head coach Ron Lewis; and many more.
Coast of the camp is $100 and that includes a camp T-shirt and guest speakers every day, headed by Bernie Kosar. Checks are to be made payable to Gary Stevens Elite Academy and all participants are asked to bring a helmet.
For further questions, call Coach Restifo at 216-651-0222, Ext. 502.