Briggs is Blessed With Perfect Vision
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There are those who will tell you that the sight lines at Community Stadium are average at best. Too far away from the field, they complain.

Then there’s another contingent, those who sit down low, who miss a play or two because of all the activity on the track. They’re not too far away, they’re too close.

Two different sections of the stadium, college football fans all, and the view is different. And now here’s a truth both groups may have missed – if they sit in either spot – or any other place in Community Stadium, or any other small college football stadium – do they really know college football? Do they know what they’re seeing?

The best seat in the house may be occupied by Ashland University senior left tackle Kevin Briggs. The best seat in the house, only you have to stand. Or crouch and be ready to fire out to run block or pass block for the better part of three hours on a Saturday afternoon.

That perspective is markedly different from that of the folks sitting in the stands or watching college football from the comfort of their living room. This week, Briggs plays the final home game of his college football career when Ashland hosts Findlay (Saturday, Oct. 27, 1 p.m.). After that, there will be two road games – at Indianapolis and Ferris State. Then that’s the end of the line for a player who’s worked so hard on the line.

“Time’s running out,” admits Briggs. “I’ve got to make the most of my plays. I can’t take any plays off, I can’t slack. I don’t have any time left, I have to sell out.”

Try to imagine what that viewpoint is like. Four years ago, Briggs had to make a decision. He could walk on at Butler, Akron or Ashland. His brother, Brady, played at Ashland and is seventh in career quarterback sacks at AU. Partly because of Brady’s experience and partly because of advice his late father gave him, Briggs came to Ashland. With nothing guaranteed.

“My father told me to go where I was happy and where I want to go,” said Briggs. “I was happy here, I felt comfortable in this environment. My brother made so many friends here and he still keeps in touch with them. That made an impact on me. I’ve made some relationships that will last.”

Those kind of things aren’t always brought up in the recruiting process. But that’s part of a total college football experience. So are some other things the public doesn’t see. Fans aren’t required to gather with offensive coordinator Matt Hohman every Wednesday and Thursday morning from 7-8, for meetings. They don’t come to Hohman’s office every Monday, Tuesday and Friday for an hour to evaluate film. Their days aren’t topped off by practice, which from start to finish, takes a good three hours. Then there are the game trips, which in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, run all over Michigan.

Again, doubters will say that a player on scholarship should be glad that the school is footing the bill. True, but there are plenty of players like Briggs who pay a price. During the spring of 2001, he had back surgery to repair two herniated disks. That would make a lot of folks re-think their decision and head to the stands to watch the game. Not Briggs.

“No, I’ve never thought that,” said Briggs. “It’s the love of the game. I want to be here. I was a walk-on here who earned my scholarship and earned my position by doing things the right way. I’m pretty proud of that fact.”

The coaching staff would second that notion. Briggs may be the definition of a “program player.” He came to Ashland, did what he was told and made himself a better player. He’s had a good career, he’s a four-year letterwinner, a two-year starter and this year, a team captain. Last season, he allowed just two sacks while playing 768 snaps.

“Two of the most important things about being an offensive lineman are accountability and hard work,” said Hohman. “Kevin bought into those things. He’s had success because he’s done those two things consistently. He’s a kid you like coaching. His teammates made him a captain because of those things, everything from February through the season. He’ll always work hard.”

It’s been said that the best way to judge a person is how they act when no one’s watching. That’s been the case for much of Briggs’ career. First, he’s an offensive lineman, which guarantees a certain amount of anonymity. Plus, he’s far away from the spotlight. Small college football isn’t like football in the Big 10, the Southeastern Conference or the Big 12. There are times when the roar of the crowd can sound like a bad telephone connection. But it can be argued that this is college football in its purest form.

“I love the competition,” said Briggs. “There’s no other sport where you can go out and hit people with all your might. You can go out there and let all your frustration out on the field.”

This season, the frustration factor has been higher than normal. This wasn’t the way Briggs projected his senior season. AU went 6-5 the last two years and in 1999 was 7-3. The Eagles enter the Findlay game with a 2-6 record.

None of this has put a damper on Briggs’ Ashland experience. There are no sour grapes. The only bad taste in his mouth comes from when some mud gets spilled into the Gatorade cooler.

“It’s been what I expected and even exceeded my expectations,” said Briggs. “The coaching staff is great. They’ve taught me so much during my career. The campus is beautiful. I’ve liked that since I came here. I’ve always known about the tradition here because of my brother.

“I’ve had a great experience,” continued Briggs. “I always wanted to play college football. Football’s been in my family through my whole life.”

Now his life will take a different turn. Briggs is a management information systems major. He may work in that field, or switch gears and look for a career in education. In either instance, his perspective will be a valuable one. It’s a good bet that his college football experience will allow him to see things in a different light.

And in either job, he won’t have to stand.