Central Michigan University Athletics
'Where Did The Time Go?'
11/14/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
By Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
Some have rewritten the record book, others have written stories that are far less celebrated, but no less important.
For every Cooper Rush who, in a few short months, may very well hear his named called in the NFL draft, there are dozens of Kevin D'Arcys, Brandon Arduinos, Anthony Scarcellis and Saylor Lavalliis.
Senior members of the Central Michigan football program all. None of the latter four is likely to play beyond college. On Tuesday, the Chippewa seniors will each play their final game at Kelly/Shorts Stadium when CMU entertains Ohio in a Mid-American Conference contest at 7 p.m.
Regardless of what has transpired for each since their respective arrivals on the CMU campus, all have beaten the odds. Just 6 percent of all high school football players end up playing in college, at any level, be it Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Subdivision, Division III, or NAIA.
Perhaps just as remarkable is the fact that most have stayed relatively healthy and survived the physical, mental and emotional grind that comes with weight training sessions, spring practice, preseason practice and in-season practice.
Each has, or will shortly, earn his degree. Football has been a vehicle to help deliver that degree. And, so much more.
"My father really started stressing to me the importance of setting goals for yourself," said Scarcelli, who worked his way onto the field on special teams and became a mainstay. "No matter how big, no matter how small, short term or long term, you have to set some goals for yourself because it you're not, what're you doing? What're you working toward?"
Scarcelli, like virtually every player on the Chippewa roster, had a sensational high school career. In his case, it was at Marine City, on the shores of the St. Clair River northeast of Detroit. He played for his father, Tony.
His father laid the groundwork, and it helped carry Scarcelli through his collegiate career.
"There are going to be a lot of bumps, big bumps, little bumps, somewhere along the line you're either going to have to change your goals, change your aspirations," he said. "What makes most guys quit is they get in that slump. They're not achieving those goals of what they originally came here to do.
"Football didn't teach me how to run fast, it didn't teach me how to be aggressive, it taught me how to get up and dust myself off and come back again."
It's been a similar path for D'Arcy, who was a two-way standout lineman at Stevenson High School in Livonia in the western suburbs of Detroit. He learned his place quickly upon his arrival in Mount Pleasant.
"Everyone comes in thinking they're going to start their freshman year," said D'Arcy, who also settled into a role on special teams. "Adapting over time and setting aside my personal goals for the goals of the team.
"Instead of thinking, 'I'm not starting, I'm not doing this' … If I can be on the scout team and we're winning games, I'll accept that role. And it's not about accepting the scout team role, it's about excelling at it.
"You set your goals: Second string, make the travel team, and you advance in your goals from there instead of being depressed about not playing."
D'Arcy's journey is not an unusual one. He came in as an offensive lineman, moved to defense, and eventually found his way back to the offensive side of the ball.
"I definitely think it was a humbling experience because when I got here some of the older guys told me that I was kind of cocky and I came in here with a chip on my shoulder," he said. "It matures you and makes you realize how good you are, and what your role is. It sets everything in perspective for you in terms of what your priorities are in life. Yes it has matured me.
"As soon as you get here you realize exactly you've got to get your stuff straight and align your goals with the teams goals."
Arduino is a walk-on who has become the consummate teammate, doing whatever he must to further the team goals - not unlike CMU coach John Bonamego, who filled a similar role in the mid-1980s while playing for legendary Chippewa coach Herb Deromedi.
"Arduino just brings a lot of energy to that receiving corps," Bonamego said. "He's a non-scholarship player walk-on; he's really busted his tail and gotten the most out of his ability and earned the respect of his teammates."
Lavallii produced a number of highlights as a running back during his three seasons wearing a Chippewa uniform. He ran for more than 1,300 yards and scored a dozen touchdowns. After the 2014 seasons, an injury cut short his career, yet he stuck with the program, assuming the role of student-assistant coach, wearing a ballcap and a headset on the sidelines at games.
"I walked in here five years ago as an 18-year-old freshman and committed to something," he said. "Now I'm sitting here as a 22-year-old senior and I'm going to be able to walk out. I've never quit anything in my life, and I don't plan to."
Said Bonamego: "I appreciate Saylor for what he's done, in a very difficult circumstances he's found a way to continue to be a very, very positive contributor to the team and the program. He's been involved in maintaining the standard and continuing to develop the culture and pride with a lot of the younger players. I'll never forget any of them, but Saylor's one that's going to stand out just because of how he has handled himself in a very, very difficult situation."
Lavallii said he has nothing but fond memories of his entire time at CMU.
"It's been the best experience of my life," he said. "I've met all my best friends, people I'll be with for the rest of my life. Memories on the field are equal to the memories off the field, the locker room, with the guys. We're a close-knit group. All the guys who come back, we still talk, reminisce about the old days. The wins that we had, the big games that we had.
"At the time, it feels like it's going to be forever and then look back and you're like, 'Where'd the time go?'"
