Aztec for life

Throwback Thursday: Art Preston

/ Hunter O. Hewitt / 4 Comments

Art Preston has a name plate in the Aztec football locker room so no one forgets about the legacy he left at SDSU

These days, it’s no secret that there is an abundance of money in professional sports. Each year, athletes rake in millions of dollars to compete in their sport.

Because of these potential earnings, dual-sport athletes are scarce. Athletes often focus on one sport, because devoting time and energy to more than one sport can hinder chances of playing professionally.

When Art Preston was in college, however, things were different.

Salaries in professional sports were mere chump change compared to figures today, and athletes played sports for a different reason: the love of the game.

From 1949-1951, Preston was a star on the gridiron at San Diego State College (now San Diego State University).

In his three seasons on the football team, he rushed for 1,664 yards and 34 touchdowns. Even after 71 years, his touchdown total still ties for third on the all-time list of career touchdowns at SDSU.

He was also a part of one of just four undefeated teams (1966, 1968, 1969) in the history of SDSU football. In 1951, Preston helped lead his team to a 10-0-1 record and the school’s first-ever bowl victory over the University of Hawaii in the Pineapple Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii.

After each football season, Preston’s routine was different than that of the average football player. He did not take time off to rest his body, focus on school, or start training for the next season.

Instead, he started gearing up for baseball season. And as if his success on the football field wasn’t enough, Preston was just as impressive, if not more, on the baseball diamond.

In 1951 and 1952, he led the team in batting average, runs scored, hits, doubles, triples, and stolen bases. His career batting average of .431 is the highest by any player in SDSU history.

Preston passed away in 1985, but it is clear that he left an unforgettable and incomparable legacy at SDSU. He was a member of the first-ever Aztec Hall of Fame class when he was inducted in 1988, and his name will likely remain in the record books for years to come.

Although Preston was no longer around to see the phrase come to life, he is undoubtedly an Aztec for life.

 

by Hunter Hewitt

GO AZTECS

Warrior Wednesday: Bobby Smitheran

/ Hunter O. Hewitt / Leave a comment

Bobby Smitheran – Director of Football Operations

When people think about college football, what happens on Saturdays on the field is often what comes to mind.

Behind the scenes, however, several tasks must be completed on a daily basis to keep a football program running smoothly off the field. Coaches are often extremely busy, and have far too much on their plate to worry about the multitude of administrative issues that come along with Division 1 athletics.

For Bobby Smitheran, the director of football operations at San Diego State, the administrative side is his forte.

Smitheran came to SDSU in 2008, and initially worked for the athletic department as the liaison to the office of admissions, housing department, and NCAA Eligibility Center.

But in 2010, when former coach Brady Hoke left for Michigan and took most of his staff with him, Rocky Long needed to hire a new director of football operations. Smitheran was given the opportunity, and has done a great job taking over all the duties.

From organizing team meals to arranging travel plans for away games, Smitheran has a variety of responsibilities, but has done a phenomenal job of balancing it all.

For his efforts to keep the SDSU football program running smoothly, Bobby Smitheran is this week’s Wednesday Warrior.

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by Hunter Hewitt

GO AZTECS

Aztec Stat of the Week: Overtime Games

/ Hunter O. Hewitt / 1 Comment

SDSU celebrates after its thrilling overtime victory over Nevada (Ernie Anderson/SDSU Media Relations)

Over the years, overtime games have been a rarity for San Diego State football.

According to GoAztecs.com, SDSU had only played in four overtime games before entering Saturday night’s contest vs. Nevada. That statistic changed Saturday, however, as the Aztecs defeated Nevada in overtime, 39-38.

With the thrilling overtime victory, the Aztecs improved to 4-1 all-time in overtime games. Following the game, one question likely popped up in the heads of many SDSU fans: When was the last overtime game for SDSU?

Last overtime game

On October 24, 1998 at Qualcomm Stadium, SDSU defeated Utah 21-20 in overtime.

Behind quarterback Brian Russell and running back Larry Ned, the Aztecs won their fourth straight game to improve to 4-3 on the season. Utah scored first in the extra period, but missed the extra point, opening the door for SDSU. The Aztecs then scored on a 6-yard touchdown pass from Russell to Damon Gourdine, and converted the extra point to win the game.

SDSU went on to play in the Las Vegas Bowl that season, but fell to North Carolina, 20-13.

Brian Russell (left) and Larry Ned (right) helped the Aztecs beat Utah in overtime in the 1998 season

 

Did you miss last week’s “Stat of the Week” post about interceptions? Check it out here!

 

by Hunter Hewitt

GO AZTECS