WIRKUS FIRST TEAM ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAN
FORMER BEE NAMED TO SELECT GROUP
By Dom DiPasqua/Staff Writer
Monday, December 26, 2011
BROADVIEW HEIGHTS – When folks on Quail Run Drive say that the All-American kid lives next door they aren't blowing smoke.
Steve Wirkus, a Broadview Heights resident and former Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School athlete, was named as a University Division Capital One First Team Academic All-American.
Wirkus, a red shirt senior safety at the University of Dayton, graduated with a 3.7 GPA and an accounting degree as well as a master's degree in business administration. He did it in four and a half years.
"I was able to time it up nicely with a fifth year of football." Wirkus said. "It justified sticking around for one extra season."
Dayton fans and coaches are glad he did.
Wirkus, a 2007 BBHHS graduate, excelled on the football field too. He led the Flyers this past fall in interceptions (4) and interception return yards. His longest return was for 32 yards. U-D went 6-5 this season under head coach Rick Chamberlin. The Flyers were 4-4 in the Pioneer Football League. The PFL is a major conference in the NCAA's Division I Football Sub-Division (FBS). Many still know it as Division I-AA.
"Our season was a little disappointing, but to get that award helped a little bit. My parents are proud." Wirkus, who has always been a team-first guy, said. And so are his neighbors.
Steve's parents, Mark and Jan, regularly made trips to Dayton and beyond to watch Steve play at the collegiate level. Now they'll watch him enter the job market.
Wirkus' Academic All-American award covered all divisions of NCAA football. That accomplishment, because of what it takes to earn, will open some doors for you.
Wirkus has accepted a position with Price Waterhouse Cooper in downtown Cleveland. He begins work January 3. "I'm going to live at home for a little bit and save some money." Wirkus said. "I'm thinking around summertime I'll look for an apartment and move out."
Wirkus, who was appropriately nicknamed "Work Dog" by Bees basketball coach Steve Mehalik, was a fierce competitor on the football field as a quarterback. On the basketball court his dogged determination and pure athletic ability earned him the respect of his teammates and coaches.
"Steve is one of the most dedicated, focused and hard-working young men that I have ever coached. One of the BEST leaders to ever come through our school." Mehalik said. "If I ever have a son, I would be proud and honored to have him be just like Steve."
Wirkus will go down in the annals of Bees football for not only what he accomplished in the classroom, but on the football field as well.
In a wild game at Olmsted Falls in 2006, Wirkus engineered what became known the "Miracle on West Bagley Road" when his game-winning pass to neighborhood friend Brad Pollock in the corner of the end zone with no time remaining pulled out one of the most exciting comeback victories in Brecksville football history.
"Playing three sports at Brecksville helped a lot. I learned time management, which is something that I'll always carry with me." The modest Wirkus said. "It was the same in college as it was in high school. You go to school, then to practice and then do homework for a couple of hours."
Wirkus obviously managed his time very well. To earn two degrees in less that five years is the sign of as winner. In addition to his class work he also led the Flyers in solo tackles (37) and was second on the team in passes broken-up (7) this year. Dayton went 4-4 in the PFL. Ironically Wirkus (6-1, 185) missed all or part of three of the teams four league losses when number 16 was sidelined due to injuries. It could be said that Wirkus was a welcome sight at Welcome Stadium.
Playing D-1 college football is a dream of many. Being named as a First Team Academic All-American is the highest possible honor.
"We don't give (football) scholarship money at Dayton so they push academics." Said the well-spoken Wirkus. "They want you to do well because they know that what you are studying is what your career is going to be in."
Dayton has produced 22 Academic All-Americans since the 2000 season, the most of any other school at any level of college football. The Flyers latest is one of our own. And that is something that even those who don't reside on Quail Run Drive are proud of.
See You At The Bee Hive!
To contact: Ddipa67834@aol.com.
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