Lake Country This Month
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SPORTS Page 8A • FREEMAN & ENTERPRISE LAKE COUNTRY FEBRUARY 2013 Former Arrowhead football star on the move Volk does lot of traveling playing football for NIU By Daniel Mike Freeman Staff Scott Walstrom, NIU Media Services Jared Volk played in the Orange Bowl this year. Volk and his teammates get to visit the sun and sand of Miami, but it was also a chance to play in a BCS bowl for the first time in NIU history . "We obviously practiced every day but we did a lot of , fun things as well," said Volk, an offensive guard. "We went to the beach and rode jet skis, went to South Beach to check out the places there and stayed in the Fountain Blue Hotel, a pretty historic place. "I've been to a bunch of bowls, but there was nothing like this." The Orange Bowl didn't fall in NIU's favor – a 31-10 loss to Florida State – but it did cap a remarkable season by the Huskies. NIU went 12-2, won the Mid-American Conference regular-season title and "He left us probably 275, 285 pounds," former Arrowhead coach Tom Taraska said. "The best thing about Jared was he continually worked on changing his weight and working on making it leaner and more athletic from his freshman year on. His improvement was probably more dramatic than any kid we saw during that four-year period. "He's a young man who paid that price, rarely missed a rep and was constantly trying to improve. That's why it was fun to watch him in (the Orange Bowl). He still had the same mannerisms. He was always a very cool customer." Having been part of four bowl games with NIU – and being on pace to graduate with a degree in business administration in May – makes Volk happy he chose the school. An all-state offensive and defensive lineman at Arrowhead, Volk couldn't imagine making a better choice. "I'm a big family person, and I needed to be close to home," Volk said. "When I took my official visit to Northern Illinois, I noticed it was different from other schools. It was a family program. I've made so many different friends here who I now consider brothers. I knew the program would be successful because of how everyone clicks together. "Plus, they have a great business program, which has also been huge. It's been a great decision." Taraska is not surprised at Volk's dedication beyond the football field. He watched the lineman grow into a well-rounded player and student. Volk will begin a master's program in the fall semester. "We try to tell kids all the time that football can teach you lessons," Taraska said. "Once Jared learned to work as a freshman, he took that to every phase of his life. He's a guy who really focuses on what's at hand. "He will have great future, whether he pursues the NFL or in his working life. There's no question he will give it the best he's got. He's just a special kid that way ." Email: dmike@conleynet.com 230561002 TOWN OF MERTON – Jared Volk had quite a holiday break. He's been fortunate to travel for four years after the fall semester ends, but this year's trip was by far the best. A redshirt junior football player at Northern Illinois University Volk has visited , Toronto for the International Bowl during his redshirt season, and Boise, Idaho, for the Humanitarian Bowl his first active season. Last year brought more warmth with a trip to the GoDaddy .com Bowl in Mobile, Ala. But a New Year's Day trip to the Orange Bowl in Miami this year was by far Volk's favorite trip. Not only did beat Kent State in the MAC title game. "It was a lot of fun," Volk said of the season. "There were a lot of interesting things. It was a long season, and a fun season. We did a lot of things not many people get to do. "It was exciting. I just wish it could have ended better – but it was a great experience." NIU's season began with an 18-17 loss to Iowa at Soldier Field, but then came nonconference victories over Tennessee-Martin, Army and Kansas. "Beating a Big 12 team (Kansas), which hasn't been done very often, was when we really realized we could do something special," Volk said. "That's when things started clicking." The Huskies swept through the MAC, winning every game by at least a touchdown. Volk was the starting left guard throughout that run after starting the final three games of last season. Starting down the stretch last season lit a fire under the 315pound Volk, a 2009 Arrowhead High School graduate. 1. The 30-minute Curves Circuit 2. New, customizable meal plan 3. Your Curves Certified Coach Get exercise, meal plan and coaching for just $12.95* a week. 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