Feature Friday

Feature Friday: Rob Andrews

/ Hunter O. Hewitt / 2 Comments

In the 2010 season vs. TCU, Andrews forced a huge fumble on QB Andy Dalton in the end zone, resulting in a touchdown for the Aztecs and a shift in momentum (Ernie Anderson/SDSU Media Relations)

SDSU’s Andrews shows perseverance, determination

In the hard-hitting game of football, serious injuries are common, and recovering from these setbacks can be very difficult. Months of rehabilitation can be physically and mentally draining, and it’s often hard to stay motivated.

Although the road to recovery is taxing, the reward of making it back onto the playing field can be well worth it. Imagine, however, finally making it back and suffering another serious injury soon after.

For San Diego State linebacker Rob Andrews, this became his reality.

A native of Pleasanton, Calif., Andrews came to San Diego State after a successful prep career at Foothill High School. He started at linebacker and fullback, and ran for over 1,000 yards his senior year while also recording 94 tackles and eight sacks.

After redshirting his first season, Andrews saw action in five games in the 2009 season. Heading into his redshirt sophomore season, he found himself in position to be a big contributor for the Aztecs.

Andrews had a solid season in 2010, playing in all 13 games and starting three times. He recorded 34 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and one bone-crushing sack and forced fumble on then-TCU quarterback Andy Dalton, who is now an NFL starter.

However, in the 13th game, Andrews suffered the first of his two serious injuries. In the Poinsettia Bowl vs. Navy, a chop block from a Navy offensive lineman caused him to tear the PCL and MCL in his right knee, and although it was frustrating, the timing wasn’t horrible.

“The injury was rough, but it was good that I made it through the season and had the offseason to recover,” Andrews said. “That next spring I got to learn more about the defense and I got a lot stronger, both physically and mentally. I found out what it feels like to be hurt and not able to play.”

Andrews spent the entire offseason vigorously rehabbing his knee, and after countless hours of hard work in the training room, he found himself back in action for the start of the 2011 season. Unfortunately, he was only able to play four games before suffering a season-ending foot injury.

“The second injury was really hard,” Andrews said. “I was expecting to have a big year and play a lot, and then I broke my foot and was out again.”

One thing that helped Andrews during his second rehabilitation process was attending weekly meetings with Athletes in Action, a Christian sports ministry that has spread to colleges nationwide.

After being introduced to the group by former teammates Miles Burris and Colin Shumate, Andrews enjoyed the weekly meetings and found it as a great place to become closer not only with God but also with other athletes involved.

With another rehab-filled offseason, Andrews had to dig deep to get back onto the field. Once again, he displayed his incredible perseverance and worked tirelessly to get back into playing shape.

Now a senior, Andrews is healthy once again and is hoping to finish his collegiate career on a high note. How the season plays out will dictate his future plans, notably whether or not he will pursue playing football at the next level.

“It all depends on how the season goes,” Andrews said. “In January, I’ll see what’s on my heart and what I want to do. If that’s not the thing for me, I’ll have a business degree in May and I’ll either move back to the Bay Area and start working there or just try to find a job here.”

Although the injuries have been setbacks for Andrews on the football field, he says they have helped him grow as a person. Most importantly, he has still been able to enjoy his college years and make the most of his time at SDSU.

“I have still had a great time at SDSU and built great relationships,” Andrews said. “The injuries were tough, but it all made me a better person in the end. I’m still happy I made the decision to come here. It was the right place for me to go.”

Highlights from the 2010 game vs. TCU (Andrew’s sack/forced fumble at 0:43)

LINKS:
Hunter Hewitt: WordPress – http://hunterhewitt.wordpress.com
Hunter Hewitt: LinkedIn – http://www.linkedin.com/in/hunterhewitt
Hunter Hewitt: Twitter – http://twitter.com/hunterhewitt89
Hunter Hewitt: Facebook – http://facebook.com/hunterhewittSDSU
Hunter Hewitt: About.me – http://about.me/hunterhewitt
Hunter Hewitt: BrandYourself – http://hunterhewitt.brandyourself.com/
Hunter Hewitt: GoAztecs.com Player Profile – http://goaztecs.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/hewitt_hunter00.html

by Hunter Hewitt

GO AZTECS

Feature Friday: Dominique Sandifer

/ Hunter O. Hewitt / 1 Comment

Sandifer in the 2010 season (Ernie Anderson/SDSU Media Relations

Sandifer overcomes obstacles on the road to success

In the spring of 2011, San Diego State wide receiver Dominique Sandifer was preparing for a big season. It was his time.

He had played two seasons behind NFL-bound receivers Vincent Brown and DeMarco Sampson, and was ready for his chance to take over as the go-to pass-catcher for the Aztecs. 2012 was supposed to be his breakout year.

Sandifer and his teammates were working hard in the offseason, running routes and catching balls from the quarterbacks one day during a week off.

That day, however, one wrong step would put a halt to Sandifer’s plans, and change his road to success in the blink of an eye.

“We were running routes and I ran simple “go” route, and my knee got stuck in the ground,” Sandifer said. “I was hoping it wasn’t that bad at first, but then they told me my (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) was torn.”

For the average athlete, a severe injury like a torn ACL can be tough to overcome, both mentally and physically.

Luckily for the Aztecs, Sandifer is far from average.

Born in Joliet, Ill., Sandifer moved to California at a young age with his mother and sisters. Although his father wasn’t always around, his mother and grandmother did their best to keep him out of trouble.

Sandifer’s mother lived in Long Beach, Calif., while his grandmother lived in nearby Gardena. He spent time at both houses, but eventually moved in with his grandmother when she was able to get Sandifer and his sister into the Beverly Hills Unified School District through her job with the city.

Sandifer started going to school in Beverly Hills in fourth grade, and also began playing football in Gardena. Because of the congested traffic and his grandmother’s work schedule, he endured long, tiring days at a young age.

“I would wake up at 6 a.m. to go to school, rush home, go to practice, and get back home around 9 p.m. and that was about it,” Sandifer said. “I didn’t have time to go out in the neighborhood or anything. My mom really wanted me to play sports to keep away from gangs and other trouble.”

At Beverly Hills High School, Sandifer impressed the football coaches from start, making the varsity football team as a freshman. He played varsity all four years and caught the eyes of college coaches for his impressive play both at wide receiver and cornerback. Sandifer was an all-CIF selection on offense and defense, and although some colleges were recruiting him as a corner, he wanted to continue playing receiver.

San Diego State was a school that saw Sandifer’s potential at receiver, and offered him a scholarship. After taking an official visit, he and his mother agreed that it was the right school, and he made what he calls “the best decision of his life.”

After redshirting in 2008, Sandifer was a key contributor in the third receiver role for the next two seasons. He played in 23 games in 2009 and 2010, notching 49 catches for 561 yards and 2 touchdowns. Although it was frustrating at times playing behind Brown and Sampson, Sandifer learned a lot from the experience.

“It was hard at first, coming in with an idea of how you want to play, but I learned you have to wait your turn and work from the bottom up,” he said. “I ended up learning a lot from them; they were great leaders and it reflected a lot on who I am now.”

Then came the injury.

“It was tough to overcome because I felt like I had paid my dues,” Sandifer said. “I felt it was my turn to step up and prove to everybody that I could be the guy.

It was an extremely hard time in Sandifer’s life, but equally important.

“I feel like everything happens for a reason, and I felt like I got to tutor the young guys and give them the knowledge that I learned from Vincent and DeMarco,” he said. “Now we are deeper at receiver than we’ve ever been. You have to take a positive from everything. If it would help the team, I’d do it all again.”

Cornerback Josh Wade, Sandifer’s good friend and roommate, saw the growth in Sandifer throughout the recovery process. Wade was in a similar situation, as he missed the entire 2011 season due to a torn Achilles tendon.

“It was definitely a maturing process for him,” Wade said. “We both grew up a lot from sitting out and watching the game from a different perspective. It helped that we were going through it together.”

With the 2012 season approaching, Sandifer is back and ready to help the Aztecs any way he can in his final season. A week before the season started, Sandifer was voted as one of three team captains by his teammates, an accomplishment that he will cherish forever.

“That was special,” Sandifer said. “I was a captain in high school, but at the college level it’s really special. It showed me that my teammates respect me and trust me enough to be the captain. It was a humbling experience and I appreciated it a lot.”

In a perfect world, Sandifer hopes to have a successful senior year and get a chance to make an NFL roster next year, but he has made certain to focus on his academics to prepare for life after football. He graduated in the spring with a degree in child in family development, and is now pursuing a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling.

If football doesn’t work out, Sandifer hopes to work with athletes with disabilities and athletes seeking direction once their playing career is over.

“I want to reach out and help kids,” Sandifer said. “I feel like you shouldn’t be able to tell a kid who was born without a leg that you can’t run. I also want to help athletes who finish sports. I want to help those guys get jobs and stay away from drugs and financial issues.

“A lot of those guys don’t know what to do after sports, they have no direction. Sports is just a short part of your life, and hopefully I can reach out to those people and help them understand that.”

Although he took a small detour, Sandifer is still on track on the road of success. Luckily for others, he is more than willing to share the directions.

LINKS:
Hunter Hewitt: WordPress – http://hunterhewitt.wordpress.com
Hunter Hewitt: LinkedIn – http://www.linkedin.com/in/hunterhewitt
Hunter Hewitt: Twitter – http://twitter.com/hunterhewitt89
Hunter Hewitt: Facebook – http://facebook.com/hunterhewittSDSU
Hunter Hewitt: About.me – http://about.me/hunterhewitt
Hunter Hewitt: BrandYourself – http://hunterhewitt.brandyourself.com/
Hunter Hewitt: GoAztecs.com Player Profile – http://goaztecs.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/hewitt_hunter00.html

by Hunter Hewitt

GO AZTECS

Meet the Aztecs: Q&A with transfers Brice Butler & Ryan Katz

/ Hunter O. Hewitt / 2 Comments

The 19th and 20th (and final) in a daily series of Q&A’s with the 2012 signing class.

Although Brice Butler and Ryan Katz are new to San Diego State, both will play huge role during the 2012 season. They come from similar situations, as both graduated from their previous school and transferred to SDSU to use their final year of eligibility while beginning a graduate school program. Butler played at the University of Southern California before coming to San Diego State, while Katz played at Oregon State University.

With Katz at quarterback and Butler at wide receiver, SDSU was able to add two explosive and experienced players to an offense that lost quarterback Ryan Lindley and running back Ronnie Hillman to the NFL. Both players have been with the team since the spring semester, and they will look to have a breakout senior season for the Aztecs in 2012.

Brice Butler

Photo Credit: Ernie Anderson/SDSU Media Relations

Q: How has your experience at San Diego State been so far?
A: It’s been good. It was an experience change because San Diego is a lot more laid-back, while Los Angeles is a really fast-paced life. Being able to come down to San Diego has been great.

Q: What do you like so far about the city of San Diego?
A: Everything is accessible from San Diego State. The beach isn’t too far and nice restaurants are close by. It’s just a beautiful city.

Q: How were the offseason workouts for you?
A: I haven’t worked that hard in my life. It’s great for my last season because I have to put it all on the line. Coach Hall and these guys work really hard and it’s been benefiting me very well.

Q: What is your major and what type of career aspirations do you have outside of football?
A: I graduated with a public policy degree in real estate. Right now I’m starting a master’s program in homeland security. After football I really want to do something with football. I would love to be a reporter or analyst like Keyshawn (Johnson) or Chris Carter on ESPN. I like talking, I like the camera, I love football and I always felt like I would do something towards that.

Q: What do you like to do during your spare time?
A: I like to relax and strengthen my spiritual relationship with Christ. He has done so much for me, he has got me this far, and for me to still be alive is unexplainable to me. I also like to play video game and just kick back.

Q: Who are your favorite professional sports teams?
A: Right now I like the Thunder, that’s my team. I don’t really have a specific team in football. I like to watch and see who’s doing well each year and I enjoy watching them play.

Q: Is there any athlete that you look up to or try to model your game after?
A: I really like Calvin Johnson. He’s a bigger receiver with speed. He runs good routes, gets in and out of his cuts, makes tough catches, and for the most part he stays out of the spotlight. I also like the confidence and the moxie of Kobe Bryant.

Q: If you weren’t a football player, what sport would you be playing?
A: Basketball. I’d be in the NBA right now.

Q: What is like learning from a coach who has worked with several NFL receivers like Coach McDaniel?
A: It’s great. It’s always good to get taught by a guy who played in the NFL, especially someone who played the cornerback position. He can teach us how he looked at receivers as a corner. On top of that, he’s coached NFL receivers so he knows what he’s talking about.

Q: What are the most important things you’ve picked up from your father, being that he is a former NFL player?
A: Work ethic, never giving up, and always knowing that you can make it if you put in the work and the time. I was always around the game and he taught me to be a student of the game. You have to know film and be able to read coverage so when you are out there in the game it’s like slow motion.

Ryan Katz

Photo Credit: Ernie Anderson/SDSU Media Relations

Q: How has your experience at San Diego State been so far?
A: It’s been good, the transition took a little while, but I’m back in southern California and it’s nice to be closer to my family. I’m fitting in well with the team.

Q: What do you like so far about the city of San Diego?
A: Being from the Los Angeles area, San Diego is still a bigger city but it’s slower than Los Angeles. You still have the good weather in southern California so it’s nice.

Q: How were the offseason workouts for you?
A: They were tough. It was the hardest I’ve worked since I’ve been playing football and I think it’s good for our team to be working this hard.

Q: What is your major and what type of career aspirations do you have outside of football?
A: I graduated in the spring with a business finance degree, and I’m working on my master’s in education and sports leadership. Somewhere down the line I’d like to be a financial advisor or something in the financial field.

Q: What do you like to do during your spare time?
A: I like to go golfing. I’ve found a couple guys on the team that like to go and we went a few times this summer.

Q: Who are your favorite professional sports teams?
A: The Lakers are the team that I follow the most, and since Los Angeles doesn’t have a football team I’m a Denver Broncos fan.

Q: Is there any athlete that you look up to or try to model your game after?
A: I like Kobe Bryant because I like his determination. Even though he plays basketball, I look up to his work ethic and the way he attacks every day.

Q: If you weren’t a football player, what sport would you be playing?
A: If I could play another sport it would be basketball, that’s what I grew up loving and that’s what I follow the most other than football.

Q: What is it like learning from a former NFL MVP quarterback in Coach Brian Sipe?
A: Coach Sipe has been great. He has a lot of experience, more than the X’s and O’s, and he really relates to the position. He can go through different things that we’re seeing and since he’s actually done it all that’s a big plus.

Q: Have you also been able to learn from former Aztec quarterbacks such as Ryan Lindley and Adam Hall?
A: I’ve talked to (Ryan) Lindley a few times, he’s reached out to me and asked me how things are going. I think it’s great what he’s doing; getting picked up in the NFL. Coach Hall has let me know how things go down here and he has been a big help too.