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MARK STRAHM GOING
STRONG
Warriors fullback
paving the way for younger players
By
JOEL RENNER, University Independent
Lima Warriors Staff Reporter
5/16/06 – LIMA -
Most
people at age 38 are spending their Saturdays in the
summer having cookouts, shopping, relaxing or taking
vacations.
Mark Strahm
is planning another bone crushing block.
Strahm is
the starting fullback for the Lima Warriors.
At age 38 he is the oldest member on the team and
playing a position meant to deliver punishment to
the defense and his own body.
Strahm went
to Carey High School where he played tailback
and fullback. He went on to attend Tiffin
University where he played football and majored in
Business Administration.
Strahm had
not played any organized football in many years and
in 2005 Strahm wanted to prove to himself that he
still had what it takes to hang with the younger
guys.
The coaches
were impressed quickly.
“At first I
was shocked,” said Coach John Parkins. “Mark
is just a great athlete and a rare specimen.”
“Mark is the
kind of guy that you can always count on and he is a
great asset to the team,” said Parkins.
Strahm broke
a rib during a game last season and did not take any
time off. He suited up for the following game
and showed how tough he was.
“He’s tough
as nails,” said Assistant Head Coach Rod Inbody.
“Guys feed on that and it helps the team to mature.”
He received
the team dedication award last season in his first
year with the Warriors. It was a new award
that honors a certain players hard work and
dedication to the team.
“The award
meant a lot to me,” said Strahm. “If you want
to be a successful team, you have to be dedicated to
your workouts and practices.”
Strahm has
stayed in great shape and feels that hard work is
the key to his success in keeping up with the
younger guys.
“It’s all in
your mind,” said Strahm. “The older you get,
the harder you have to work to stay in shape.”
Strahm has
high confidence in his teammates for this upcoming
season.
“There
really is no reason we should ever lose based on the
players we have and because of their dedication to
the team,” said Strahm.
Strahm has
played well in the first two scrimmages of the year.
He has had minimal carries but has averaged almost
five yards per run. He scored a touchdown
around the goal line in the first scrimmage against
the West Ohio Wranglers.
Retirement
is not necessarily coming any time soon for Strahm
due to his positive outlook. As long as Strahm
keeps contributing to the team, he would like to
play.
“I take it
year by year,” said Strahm.
When asked
how long he would like to play, Strahm said, “When I
become a liability or just a guy that stands on the
sidelines that is my time.”
The Warriors
along with Strahm will next be in action on
Saturday, May 20, against the Columbus Blackhawks at
2:00 P.M. at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park.
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