Central Michigan University Athletics
Leigeb Wraps Up Record-Setting Career
11/14/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 14, 2000
If Central Michigan safety Brian Leigeb didn't seize the moment, there's a possibility he wouldn't be where he is today.
Leigeb came to CMU uncertain of what his college football career would be. When practice started his freshman year, he was hoping for any opportunity to get on field on game day.
"I just wanted a chance to play for the Chippewas when I first came here as a freshman," said Leigeb. "I wasn't sure if I had the ability to start so I was hoping to get on the field ... even if it meant special teams. When I was thrust into the starting position, that was quite unexpected."
Leigeb experienced deja vu when it was time to take the field for his senior campaign. Head coach Mike DeBord took the helm of the program and declared all starting positions were up for grabs.
"It was tough adapting to the changes," said the Midland native. "In my three years here, I was familiar with the routine and knew what was expected. When the new staff came in, I wasn't sure if they were going to see me as a player. I thought maybe they were going to go with someone else or start grooming a younger player.
"However, coach DeBord has been a positive experience. He has brought in a great staff, a positive attitude and will turn the program around in time."
Leigeb has come a long way in his four-year career at Central Michigan. The mechanical engineering technology major has gone from thoughts of quitting football to etching his name in the school's annals.
"This football program has been a great experience," said the 6-2, 205-pound senior. "It has had its ups and downs. When I first showed up, I wasn't sure if the coaches liked me and I thought about leaving football. But I talked to my parents and I decided to play the game.
"That's a moment I'll always look back on, too. I persevered through a tough time and everything worked out for the best. I think that's a quality people need to get through life."
And it did work out for Leigeb. He claimed the top spot on the all-time tackles list last weekend at Eastern Michigan. While the individual accolades are a bonus, Leigeb would rather help the team effort than his own.
"It's an honor just to be listed as one of the top tacklers, let alone at the top," Leigeb said. "However, it would have been nice to win. I would have felt better about a winning record and a conference title over an individual record. It would have been better for the whole team. Records don't win games."
Leigeb passed Chippewa standout Ray Bentley on the all-time tackles list with 451 stops. Whether or not Leigeb gets a shot at the pros like Bentley is an open question.
"It would be a great opportunity for me if I had the chance to go pro," Leigeb said. "It's any boy's dream to take the field for a professional team.
"The National Football League is reserved for the top players in the country. If I'm not selected as one of those players, then this is my last season and I have to play every game with no regrets because this is how far I made it."
The pros is not the ultimate goal for Leigeb. While it would be a privilege to take a shot at an NFL career, Leigeb has his sights set on doing what makes him happy.
"I want to finish school. That's my first priority," said Leigeb. "In the long run, I want to get a job and live a nice, comfortable life with a family.
"I would like to work where I can put my engineering technology degree to work. I wouldn't mind working on cars where you can re-shape and re-tool parts to make a better product."
Leigeb will graduate in May 2002 but only has two games left in his career. One of those two games is today's match against arch-rival Western Michigan. It marks the last home game for Leigeb and he looks to make it a memorable one.
"It's going to be a special game for us," Leigeb commented. "It's going to be sad and exciting and a lot of emotions all at once. Even though Western is having a good season and we're not, it's still going to be an exciting atmosphere. This game is going to be a season in itself.
"A lot of the people on the field today are from Michigan and will look to it for bragging rights. But it would be a great moment if we could take a win. It would mean our team pulled together and achieved."
by Scott Pettett, Sports Information Intern
