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February 2, 2009 This week features another National Signing Day, for high school graduates that will officially commit in writing to the college they’ll be competing for in the fall. I fondly remember last year, because like many other Novi athletes, my daughter Jamie was blessed to earn a scholarship in soccer at UNLV, where she is currently winding down a successful freshman campaign. And she’s met some very interesting people out in Nevada, including Ben Jaekle. Ben is the kicker for the football team, entering his junior year. As a senior at Bonanza High School in Las Vegas, although he earned All-State honors, he managed to fly below the radar when it came to National Signing Day in 2006, so he walked-on and made the team. Just 7 months later to the day in September 2006, Jaekle was in the stands watching UNLV’s opener against Idaho State, when something happened that not only made national news, but it changed Ben Jaekle’s life. Jaekle wasn’t initially scheduled to suit up that night, but when UNLV’s kicker was seriously hurt early in the game, his cell phone rang. It was head coach Mike Sanford telling Jaekle to hustle down from the stands, get suited up and be prepared to handle the kicking duties. Jaekle was ready. He made three extra-points, and a 26-yard field goal, helping to lead the Rebels to a victory that evening. Texas A&M had received the same type of similar notoriety in the past because of their 12th man tradition, but even they had never had anything like this. This is one of the coolest stories I’ve heard for two reasons; First, if you’re a Novi High School senior, or any high school senior for that matter and you haven’t found a home on the next level yet, take heart, it can happen. Plenty of players in all sports walk-on and become contributing members of their college team. In fact, one such example started at QB for the Arizona Cardinals in the Super Bowl. You've heard of Kurt Warner? The second reason I liked this story is because it shows that if you are prepared for your opportunity, when it comes, and it will, you can make a great splash while helping your team and making a name for yourself. Ben Jaekle proved this to be true on both fronts, and today he is a scholarship athlete for the UNLV Rebel football team; he is no longer a walk-on. Never give up, maybe someday we’ll be writing about you… (c) 2009 Novi
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