Set your own expectations, Ravens player says to Hanover-area athletes
Speaking to high school students athletes comes naturally to Kyle Juszczyk.
That's because the Baltimore Ravens fullback sees himself in many of them.
"I love speaking to high school students, especially ones that take academics and athletics seriously because that’s how I was in high school," he said.
Juszczyk, a four-year NFL veteran, headlined the 28th annual Sports Night banquet for the Hanover Rotary Club. The event feted 16 scholar-athletes from Hanover, Delone Catholic, South Western and Spring Grove.
The Hanover Rotary Club named Spring Grove's Abby Erlemeier and Eli Brooks the female and male athletes of the year, respectively.
The banquet raises money so the Hanover Rotary Club can provide funding to local youth organizations, like the McSherrystown Lions, who were recognized during the ceremony. The Lions are a member of the York/Adams Elementary Football League.
Juszczyk, who played college football for Harvard University, shared his high school experiences to relate to and inspire the scholar-athletes in attendance.
"Combining athletic and academics, I was able to get to where I’m at today," said Juszczyk, a 2016 Pro Bowl selection.
Juszczyk was joined by former Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Tommy Greene and York Revolution President Eric Menzer at the banquet.
After they each made speeches extolling the role of education in athletic pursuits, the celebrity guests took questions from the audience.
Greene spoke from personal experience to answer a question about pitch counts, and its role in reducing injuries, in youth sports.
"Pay attention to what your kid says," he advised parents in the audience.
A child asked Juszczyk what football team he would play for if he had his choice. Juszczyk is slated to become a free agent next month.
"I definitely have a soft spot for the Ravens," Juszczyk said to cheers from the pro-Baltimore crowd. "I would be thrilled to be back here next year."
Haling from a high school and college not renowned for their athletics, Juszczyk advised the student-athletes at the banquet to not let anyone set expectations for them.
"The key is to be self-motivated and maintain balance, and you can take those two traits and go very far in life."
The following student athletes were recognized:
Dhane Schmelyun, South Western
Samantha Seiler, South Western
Nate VanCampen, South Western
Jazmin Walker, South Western
Zachary Hart, Delone Catholic
Mikayla McCleaf, Delone Catholic
Brian Shermeyer, Delone Catholic
Jillian Novak, Delone Catholic
Jonathan Sayer, Spring Grove
Nathalie Elliott, Spring Grove
Eli Brooks, Spring Grove
Abby Erlemeier, Spring Grove
Isaac Silver, Hanover
Maria Drawbaugh, Hanover
Hunter Martz, Hanover
Alexandra Daley, Hanover