Saturday, January 28, 2006
Tom Manning becomesa national champion
Fanfare:
This is a story about a young gentleman from Youngstown.
He is my nephew, Tommy Manning, whose passion for the game of football has made him into a true champion. The love of the game is what inspired him. Playing and working together as a team to win football games was his satisfaction. His teammates were his family and they all wanted the same thing he did, to reach the ultimate goal of winning a championship someday.
Playing as a junior for the 2000 Ursuline High School football team, he anchored the offensive line at the center position. That year, Ursuline captured its first Ohio high school state football championship. Tommy was chosen first team All-Steel Valley for his efforts that year and, best of all, was selected as one of the captains of his team. In his senior year at Ursuline, Tommy earned All-Ohio first-team offense. He was also named AP NEO Inland all-district first-team offense and again, first-team All-Steel Valley.
If you asked him about any of these accomplishments, he would not take credit for any of them. He would say he had the best coach (Jim Vivo) and the best teammates anyone could have. That's just the kind of kid he is. He never took praise for his efforts and I respected that. He just did his job and did it to the best of his ability. His work ethic was unbelievable.
After he graduated, he went on to play football at Mount Union College in Alliance. Mount Union has a great winning tradition and that's where he wanted to go. He found out right away that that's where every other high school football player also wanted to go.
His work was cut out for him if he expected to have any chance at playing time. As a junior, he finally cracked the starting lineup at left offensive tackle and played every game that year, earning first-team All-Ohio Athletic Conference.
Mount Union had won the Division III national championship title seven times before. He was hoping they would do it again. But it didn't happen until his senior year. He was a preseason pick for first-team All-American and gained the honor of being chosen a team captain, a role he accepted and cherished.
He, again, started every game and continued to impress his coaches and teammates. Mount Union went 9-1 that year, losing their first regular-season game in 11 years. But that loss helped propel Mount Union into the playoffs to win their eighth national championship.
Tommy was recognized again for his hard work and determination at the college level. He made second-team All-Ohio Athletic Conference. He loved his teammates and especially had the highest praise for his head coach -- Larry Kehres.
Tommy discovered a lot about life during his playing days. He learned many lessons on how to stay fit and also on preparing himself for whatever he needed to be ready for. He studied film day-in and day-out about his opposition. He needed to know how to be ready. He would tell me each week about the player that would be playing across from him and that player's style. He had a lot of respect for his coaches for preparing him. If anyone wants to know what bowl game was the best to see this year, it was in Salem, Virginia at the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl on Dec. 17, 2005.
My nephew became another champion that day. He has played a lot of football games during his life and has reached not only one, but two championships -- a state championship and a national championship.
He has become a man and a true champion. I know his mother, father, brother, sister and the rest of his family fan club are very proud of him. It has been one wonderful ride. I know he will be a great coach someday.
Tony Ball
Hubbard