BGSU Senior Day

Senior Day took place Friday, November 2, 2007. College seniors are now probably scratching their heads wondering why they were not honored, but it should be clarified that Senior Day recognized the contributions of the Bowling Green State University Football team’s senior players.

Senior day is a special moment for many. It highlights the achievements of the seasoned veterans on BG’s football team.

The BGSU Falcon football team has a core of seniors who continue to rear the younger players into the team leaders they will soon become. Seniors of the Falcon Football team were honored during their game with Akron, which they won 44 to 20.

Many people may question the need of Senior Day. Mike Burtch, staff assistant for the Falcon Football team, has watched these young men progress into the football players many see before them. Before he was a staff assistant, Mike Burtch spent his Undergrad years as team manager for the team.

“Senior Day is a special moment. It gives people, fans, families, and other on-lookers a chance to admire the athletic or academic accomplishments of the athletes,” said Burtch. It also can give those being honored a chance to stick out their chests and be proud of what they’ve done.”
Giovanni Fillari, a junior football player for the Falcons, agrees Senior Day is a very important day for all.

“As a younger player, the seniors of the team have done a great deal for me on and off the field,” said Fillari. “There are a small group of seniors, but all of them have had a hand in lending knowledge to me and the rest of the team. They have showed me what a "Falcon" is by carrying themselves with Pride and Honor in everything theydo. I hope that younger people will look at me the way I look up to the current seniors.”

Many students who were athletes in high school can remember the pride they felt when they were honored for senior day. It displays the years of dedication one gives to the sport, in addition to homework and other external factors that build stress for the young athlete.
Khalafani Rice, former player for the Falcon football team, admired the seniors for their dedication to the sport.

“They know their purpose and performed their job to the best of their ability day in and day out,” said Rice. “Some were motivating and help keep you mentally tough for the game.”
Seniors can be seen as survivors. They battled to keep good grades, a good disciplinary standing, and a spot on the team.

They inevitably are the last ones standing and senior day recognizes this valuable attribute.
Burtch has been around the football team for a little more than 6 years and has seen some players not make it to their senior year.

“I have seen so many football players come and go. Not everyone that goes out as a freshman makes it to their senior year,” said Burtch. “Those that do have learned how to go through some ups and downs that life can bring. Most of them will not be able to go on playing the sport after their career is over so they realize how much more to life there is outside the arena or stadium.
Burtch further elaborates, “Many have matured, physically as well as mentally, with those experiences. There are some that come in, not respecting the game and when they leave; you can see a change in their attitude because of how much work they put in.”
Fillari knows for certain the seniors have a lasting impact on both younger player and the game.

“I have learned to lead by example from the seniors,” said Fallari. “Many people can talk a good game and say that they will do something, but you aren't doing much of anything until it is done. A good example is senior Sean O'Drobinak who plays DT. He stopped a late 4th quarter rally on 4th down during the game @ Eastern Michigan Friday night. We would not know the outcome if it wasn't for him. This was only one example of numerous ones that seniors have made throughout my tenure as a Falcon.”

Many may view Senior Day as just a regular day to give recognition to seniors of a particular sport. But many should view that day as compilation of the many years of blood, sweat and tears these players dedicated to their sport.

Fillari says, “Once I am a senior, I plan to show the younger people that there is more to being a Falcon football player that being a good athlete on the field. It is about being respectable and responsible off the field. Decisions are always to be made in thecollege life, and I hope to help younger kids make the better ones once they are brought to a tough decision.”