The next generation of Charger glory
Jon Fisher
Issue date: 4/3/08 Section: Sports
Sometimes, Charger spirit can last more than a lifetime. Sometimes, it is hereditary.
When Ray Papach, '77, studied at Hillsdale, he played baseball, football and basketball as a Charger. Now his son, freshman Matt Papach, follows in his basketball legacy.
Ray never pushed Matt to enroll at Hillsdale. Rather, Matt applied to several schools and the programs opened their doors to him, Matt said.
"As soon as he came to Hillsdale, he fell in love with the place," Ray said. "You could just see in his eyes how much he wanted to be there. I know how hard he worked to get there, and I'm proud of that."
Though playing sports at the same college as one's parents can be unusual, it tends to be rewarding for both the parents and the player, head football coach Keith Otterbein said.
"Us old folks, we have such fond memories of what Hillsdale has done for us that we have the very natural inclination that our kids should have the same experience," Otterbein said.
Rarely do athletes seem pressured by their parents to return, Otterbein said. The athletes could only commit to the amount of practice required by college sports if they love the game, he said.
For the students, playing sports comes as a family pastime. Matt's parents both played sports, his two older sisters play basketball and volleyball at different schools, and now he plays for Hillsdale.
Not once did Matt feel pressure in his family to play basketball, he said. But once he committed, his parents enthusiastically supported his decision.
Ray would often give his son suggestions for practice and advise technique, but Matt said he chose to practice hard on his own. Ray said he never forced Matt to practice, and preferred it that way.
"I think you can get involved too much," he said. "[Matt] did this because he wanted to. I'd like to see him think for himself."
As a Charger freshman, Matt has four years to beat the record set by his father in two and a half years. When Ray graduated from Hillsdale, he left Hillsdale's highest rebounding average of 14.4 rebounds per game and was ranked third in the nation.
"It's a huge thing to do, but I'm going to do my best," Matt said.
Ray said he expects his son to outdo his performance because records are meant to be broken.
Matt has the potential and the work ethic to do well on the team, head basketball coach John Tharp said.
"He has a great nose for the basketball," he said. "From a rebounding standpoint, every single day he's making strides. He's extremely coachable."
Ray said he looks forward to seeing his son play. He has yet to watch Matt in a college game because the long commute from North Carolina.
Still, looking at Matt's progress has brought to Ray a "reawakening," as he meets and remembers old friends, Ray said. The time he spent at Hillsdale was the best thing he had aside from his family, he said.
"I was a jock," Ray said. "You know how you have a student athlete. I was an athletic student."
Hay said he loved every minute of it.
When Ray Papach, '77, studied at Hillsdale, he played baseball, football and basketball as a Charger. Now his son, freshman Matt Papach, follows in his basketball legacy.
Ray never pushed Matt to enroll at Hillsdale. Rather, Matt applied to several schools and the programs opened their doors to him, Matt said.
"As soon as he came to Hillsdale, he fell in love with the place," Ray said. "You could just see in his eyes how much he wanted to be there. I know how hard he worked to get there, and I'm proud of that."
Though playing sports at the same college as one's parents can be unusual, it tends to be rewarding for both the parents and the player, head football coach Keith Otterbein said.
"Us old folks, we have such fond memories of what Hillsdale has done for us that we have the very natural inclination that our kids should have the same experience," Otterbein said.
Rarely do athletes seem pressured by their parents to return, Otterbein said. The athletes could only commit to the amount of practice required by college sports if they love the game, he said.
For the students, playing sports comes as a family pastime. Matt's parents both played sports, his two older sisters play basketball and volleyball at different schools, and now he plays for Hillsdale.
Not once did Matt feel pressure in his family to play basketball, he said. But once he committed, his parents enthusiastically supported his decision.
Ray would often give his son suggestions for practice and advise technique, but Matt said he chose to practice hard on his own. Ray said he never forced Matt to practice, and preferred it that way.
"I think you can get involved too much," he said. "[Matt] did this because he wanted to. I'd like to see him think for himself."
As a Charger freshman, Matt has four years to beat the record set by his father in two and a half years. When Ray graduated from Hillsdale, he left Hillsdale's highest rebounding average of 14.4 rebounds per game and was ranked third in the nation.
"It's a huge thing to do, but I'm going to do my best," Matt said.
Ray said he expects his son to outdo his performance because records are meant to be broken.
Matt has the potential and the work ethic to do well on the team, head basketball coach John Tharp said.
"He has a great nose for the basketball," he said. "From a rebounding standpoint, every single day he's making strides. He's extremely coachable."
Ray said he looks forward to seeing his son play. He has yet to watch Matt in a college game because the long commute from North Carolina.
Still, looking at Matt's progress has brought to Ray a "reawakening," as he meets and remembers old friends, Ray said. The time he spent at Hillsdale was the best thing he had aside from his family, he said.
"I was a jock," Ray said. "You know how you have a student athlete. I was an athletic student."
Hay said he loved every minute of it.
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