April 2, 2007
by Don Bostrom
The Morning Call, Inc.
Copyright 03/29/07
EASTON, Pa. - College football coaches around the country learned a valuable lesson last fall when former Easton High soccer player Steve Aponavicius went from a zealous fan in face paint who had never played organized football to an after-practice discovery who wound up kicking a final-play field goal to help Boston College win a bowl game last December.
That's one reason Lafayette coach Frank Tavani decided to stage his first open tryout combine at Fisher Field on Wednesday.
"It's the whole Vince Papale, 'Invincible' thing," Tavani said. "Other than me being draped in an American flag on the 50-yard line, I don't know how else we can say this is the land of opportunity. Hey, there just might be a player or two out there that can help us. It doesn't hurt to find out. Some people think this was a publicity stunt. Anything but. I'm always looking for anyone that could contribute."
Tavani said several students had requested tryouts and, after watching the NFL Combine on TV, he figured this would be a fair and safe way to honor those requests.
Four diverse candidates accepted the challenge and were tested in the 40-yard dash, standing vertical jump, 300-yard shuttle, repetition bench press, the pro agility cone drill, and an agility station.
Tavani was pleasantly surprised by the results and will invite one, possibly two, of the hopefuls to join the team for the final 12 spring practice sessions.
"This was a lot of fun and something we'd like to make an annual event," Tavani said.
All-Patriot League linebacker Andy Romans was impressed by the candidates.
"You have to give them all a lot of credit," Romans said. "They're taking a shot. That's what it's all about."
Here are quick hitters on the dreamers who showed up.
PAUL VITTI
Vitti, a freshman transfer student from Barry College in Miami, was a profile in courage as he gallantly strained his way through all of the drills.
Determination was etched all over his face as he picked himself up after taking an unexpected spill in the agility phase.
The son of a former Kansas City Royals outfield prospect, Vitti was not allowed to play any contact sports until about six months ago because of an adrenal gland dysfunction.
"Your adrenal gland is a major organ," Vitti said. "It controls your heart rate and a lot of other vital things. Doctors wouldn't let me risk me further injury to that part of my body."
Vitti had the gland removed a few years ago and was put on synthetic hormones. Since there were no complications, he was given the green light to pursue more strenuous activities.
With his dad's blessing, the 5-10, 225-pounder played linebacker and fullback on the intramural level at Barry last fall.
Vitti found out he was at ground zero as far as football knowledge and techniques were concerned.
"There's a lot of stuff I don't know about, so I've been trying to get some tips from my younger brother, Louis, who plays middle school football in Warren Hills," Vitti said.
Undaunted, he gave total effort on Wednesday.
"I had nothing to lose," the Washington, N.J. native said.
"If I don't make it, I'll know what I have to work on because I have a few more years here."
JEROME HILL
Hill, a speedy freshman from Riverdale, Md., had Tavani and assistant coach Phil Hallahan checking their stop watches as he met or exceeded standards in all the running categories.
"I was actually a little off my high school times," Hill sheepishly admitted.
Hill also has plenty of game experience on his resumé. He was a cornerback and running back at Parkdale High until a herniated disc in his back kept him out his senior season.
"This isn't like I'm actually coming out of nowhere," Hill said. "I think I would have had some offers if not for that injury. Fortunately, my academics were strong enough to get me in here."
Hill's back was fine this winter as he wrestled his way to the National Club Wrestling Association Championships in Texas at 174 pounds.
"Yeah, I had a pretty good season," said Hill, who learned of the combine through an e-mail from his wrestling coach.
He's ready to make the commitment to join the Leopards.
"Absolutely," he said. "I know I'd be a little behind them right now, but I think I'm athletic enough to hold my own."
WESLEY LEMON
Lemon, a sophomore from Bronx, N.Y., was never allowed to play football in high school because his mother wouldn't sign the permission slip.
So, he secretly went out for the rugby team and is a member of the Lafayette club team as an outside center.
He's so smooth and shifty when he handles the ball, Lemon has been dubbed "L.T." (as in LaDainian Tomlinson) by his rugby teammates.
"You don't wear pads in rugby, so I am used to getting hit," he said. "The game never stops, either. You are constantly running for 80-minute halves without a timeout, so, I think I'll be getting a lot more rest between plays in football."
Lemon decided to try out on a dare from his brother.
"I just got tired of him talking all that trash," said Lemon.
Lemon was actually disappointed by his performance.
"I'm not happy at all, I know I can do better," he said. "If I don't make it this time, I'm definitely trying out again. Looking back, I wish now I had tried out last year."
Lemon said he had no idea where he'd fit in if he gets the coveted invitation to the remaining 12 practice sessions.
"I have no preference," he said. "I'll go to whatever position they think I'd help them the most."
DEAN NOTTI
The junior government and law student in an accelerated program played wide receiver, cornerback and running back on a 13-man Princeton Day School squad a few years ago.
"I always wanted to play in college, so I went to Coach Tavani and asked for a tryout," Notti said. "I'm trying out for wide receiver because I'm comfortable there."
Notti didn't want to hear the Papale saga.
"I'm a Giants fan, so forget anything about the Eagles," he said. "'Invincible' was not an inspiration for me. I'm just passionate about sports, especially football."
Notti wound up gassed after the 300-yard shuttle run.
"Let's just say my endurance wasn't up to par," he said.
"It was an all-around enjoyable experience," Notti said. "Whatever happens, happens. You'd rather do it than regret not doing it."
"Make it or not, this was a great deal," Vitti said. "I think more schools should do this. The coaches were wonderful. They gave us all kinds of encouragement and pointers. I was impressed by how much they really cared about us."
