Central Michigan University Athletics
Lewis Makes Big Plays For CMU
9/27/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 27, 2000
Known as "little" by his teammates and friends, Shelton Lewis looks to become a big-time player in his senior year at Central Michigan.
"I have a twin brother and we were born two-months premature, but my brother still came out to five pounds and I was only about one pound," said Lewis. "They called him `fat' and I was `little.'"
As one of the first CMU football players from the state of Texas, the Houston native has had to make adjustments both on and off the gridiron. Known as the hotbed for football, Lewis says that the movie "Varsity Blues" best summarizes what football is all about in Texas.
"Football is everything down there," said Lewis. "In high school we went 8-3 and were labeled as having a losing season. At times we played in front of 50,000 people."
Where temperatures regularly hover around 100 degrees during the football season in Texas, Lewis has had to adjust to Michigan's unpredictable weather.
"I was going crazy the other day when it only got into the 60s," joked Lewis.
As a wide receiver at West Hill CC, Lewis caught 12 passes for 302 yards and three TDs in 1998. Noted for his speed and versatility, CMU was quick to offer Lewis a chance to become a Chippewa.
"It was either here or a school back home but my mom and I sat down and talked about it," Lewis said. "I came here on a visit and loved it."
According to Lewis, the biggest obstacle he overcame when he arrived at CMU was adapting to the size of the school.
"When I attended junior college there were only about 20 students in each classroom," said Lewis. "At CMU, most of the classes are a lot bigger."
Although Lewis admits there isn't much free time during the football season, he spends most of that time doing what he enjoys most....taking pictures.
"I had four pictures published and put on display in a museum my senior year of high school," Lewis said. "I also received a photography scholarship to a school in Houston."
Don't be surprised if Shelton Lewis is the one being photographed this year as he crosses the end zone for another Chippewa touchdown.
Ryan Meister, Sports Information Assistant
