by B-W Sports Info. Student Assistant and Salem High School graduate Carey McDermott
BEREA, OHIO -- Hanoverton resident, United Local High School graduate and Baldwin-Wallace College senior offensive tackle Sean Baker will play the biggest football game of his collegiate career today when third-ranked Baldwin-Wallace travels to Alliance to face top-ranked and three-time defending NCAA Division III national champion Mount Union College. Kickoff at Mount Union Stadium is at 1:30 p.m.
To Baker, this game is more special to him then other games. The game is near his hometown, and people such as past coaches and family will be able to watch him play.
"We are exited to play Mount Union," said Baker, a two-year starter for the Yellow Jackets. "We want this opportunity because we feel if we can play well that we have an opportunity beat them. They are a great team. They are the measuring stick in the OAC (Ohio Athletic Conference) and in Division III because of their past success."
Baker expect the Mount Union game to be a great challenge for B-W.
"It’s definitely a great challenge, and this team really wants that challenge," said Baker. "We want to go out there and see what we can do. We are playing a great opponent who we respect a great deal. We are going to go out and play to tghe best of our ability and leave it all out on the field."
Even though Baker wants to win today, he feels a victory wouldn’t necessarily be the biggest highlight of his playing career at B-W.
"We have higher expectations for the season than just beating Mount Union in the second game of the season." said Baker. "Sure, beating Mt. Union would be big. But at the same time, our team goals are to win the OAC title and earn a berth in the NCAA Division III National Playoffs. We cannot put all of our eggs in one basket."
And, you know what? Baker isn’t nervous either.
"A lot of people get nervous when they play in what is regarded as a big game," said Baker, "But, I feel that as long as I go out and execute, give a 110 percent effort and have fun, it will be worth it. here is really no reason to be nervous."
Baker, an education major who plans to teach and coach following graduation in May, is a solid student. He also has a long-term goal of becoming a high school counselor.
"I want to be able to help others like others have helped me," said Baker. "By being a teacher, coach and eventually a counselor, I can hopefully help young people."
During his four years at B-W, Baker has gone steadily up the ladder on the offensive line and is playing his third straight year as a contributor at the varsity level. As a freshman, Baker began his career on the junior varsity. He split time between the varsity and junior varsity teams as a sophomore. As a junior and senior, Baker has been a starter and key mainstay on the line.
"Sean Baker has made great progress for four years and is a key member of our offensive line," said second-year Head Coach John Snell, who led B-W to an 8-2 record in his first year as head coach in 2002. "Sean has good strength and quickness. He is a young man who we rely upon a great deal as both an offensive lineman aand as a team-leader."
Baker attributes his growing success on the field to his continuing maturity, both physically and emotionally.
"I’ve learned to become more patient," said Baker. "My first two years, I was gaining experience and just wanted to help any way I could. The past two years, as a starter, my role is more defined. I know my job and just have to go out and execute on every play. That has helped me to become more patient and becom e a better student and football player."
Additionally, Baker has gained a sense of time management, discipline, and a sense of teamwork and family.
"I’ve gained a great sense of family from being around the football team and the players," said Baker. "We don’t have a lot of time to do other activities. Between attending class, making sure I carve out time to study and football practice, I’ve learned a great deal about of time management. It is an attribute that I am sure I can pass along to younger players and student as a teacher and coach."
The road to success hasn’t always been easy.
"I’ve always struggled with conditioning in the spring," Baker stated. "The season is so far away it is difficult to be exited about the 6:00 a.m. running and weightlifting. But you know you have to do it to stay in shape and be ready for football camp in mid-August."
This summer, however, Baker received support and encouragement from his fellow teammates to overcome this struggle.
"Over the summer the seniors from the area got together to lift and run together," said Baker. "Training together and living together helped us grow as a team."
Baker’s attitude towards football is extremely positive.
"Sean has been an extremely committed, loyal, and hardworking player," said Snell, "And those are three outstanding qualities.
Baker is a coaches ideal team player. He never complains or makes excuses.
"Sean will do anything I ask to the best of his ability," says second-year Yellow Jacket Offensive Line Coach Ron Bendekovic. "Sean is a great team player. He is more than willing to help his teammates and help us to teach our younger players how to do things better. Those are the qualities of a leader."
A year ago, B-W took Mount Union to the limit before losing, 28-21. A pass interception in the endzone by now graduated Purple Raider All-American safety Chris Kern on the final play of the game ended a classicx confrontation between the two teams. This year's game is already taking on a playoff-like atmosphere.
Both Sports Illustrated and USA Today have listed this contest as one of the biggest games in the country this weekend. I fact, Sports Illustrated bumped the Florida State and Colorado contest from its Top-Five Games list to include the B-W and Mt. Union game. USA Today has listed it as its top small college game this week.
"We are looking forward to this challenge with great anticipation," said Snell, who led the Yellow Jackets to a 45-26 victory aganst Allegheny (Pa.) College in their opener on September 6 in Berea. "But we cannot make this our only focus this year. It is our focus this week. We are playing a great opponent in Mt. Union."
During Baker's three years on the Yellow Jacket squad, B-W has improved its result against the Purple Raiders each year. As a freshman, B-W lost in Berea, 41-0. Two years ago in Alliance, the Yellow Jackets held the Purple Raiders to their offensive lowest output of the season before losing, 17-3. Last year, it was 28-21. So, what does Baker think about this year?
"We have more confidence as a team," says Baker. "We know we can play well, and if we play well we can beat them. The last couple years we just needed to find a way to win. I think this year we have more confidence and ability to win. Now, we have to go out and execute on every play and not make any mistakes."
We need to give a 110 percent effort for 60 minutes," said Snell. "If we do that, we will have a chance for success. If we don't, a team as good as Mt. Union can make you pay for making mistakes. This is a great game and we are looking forward to it."
FOR MORE B-W SPORTS INFORMATION, please contact the B-W Sports Information Office by telephone at (440) 826-2327, by FAX at (440) 826-2329 or e-mail SID Kevin Ruple at kruple@bw.edu.
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