Foresters Relish All-American Bowl Experience
Even though the regular season had already ended, Luke Butts
wasn't going to turn down an opportunity to play in one more
football game.
The senior captain, All-Midwest Conference performer and
third team all-West Region selection joined fellow Forester seniors
Kevin Davis and Kenneth Clady Mason at the All-American Bowl at the
HHH Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Saturday, Dec. 17. Jim
Catanzaro served as the coach of the College Stripes team, which
lost 17-13 to the College Stars Team.
"Not every collegiate football player gets the chance to put on
those pads after their season ends, and it was a humbling
opportunity to compete against some of the nation's best," Butts
said recently.
It was an experience he relished, not only because he played on an
NFL field, but also because he had a chance to meet other
collegiate football players from Division II and Division III.
"I was happy to see how well represented the
Midwest Conference was at the game," Butts added. "Having the
opportunity to meet other guys from the Conference and play on the
same side to represent the MWC helped make this All-American Bowl
experience priceless."
While he had high expectations for the game, he had one goal in
mind: to have fun.
"I know that I had a blast on and off the field while up in
Minneapolis," Butts said. "Being able to enjoy the weekend with
teammates, coaches, family, and friends was truly the greatest part
of the experience. Events like this do not come around often,
and I am very thankful to have spent my time in Minnesota with the
people who matter most in my life."
Some of those people included teammates Davis and Clady Mason as
well as coach Catanzaro who was pleased with how the Foresters
performed.
“It was a great overall experience for our guys to play and
they performed very well and rose to the occasion," Catanzaro said.
I’m extremely proud of how they handled themselves."
Catanzaro said the end result came down to the kicking game, but pointed out key plays each of the Foresters had.
“Kevin had a nice kick return, Luke had a couple of nice tackles and Kenny had a sack so they represented the Foresters very well," Catanzaro said.
But, what was especially helpful for the Foresters was to see familiar faces in an unfamiliar setting.
"It's a major plus to have teammates and coaches with you at these types of games," Butts said. "Automatically, you feel much more comfortable and at ease when on the field because the schematics and systems that you will be running are the same ones we have run for the past 4 years at Lake Forest.
"I was extremely proud that my teammates were able to participate in this game, and I am just grateful that I was able to participate in the game with them because the experience would not have been as enjoyable. I'm glad I was able to represent Lake Forest College for one last time on the field.""
