2008 Woodie Awards
The return of Rockhurst football...well, sort of
Tim Allen
Issue date: 9/24/08 Section: Sports
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What happened to those days? When we made the choice to attend Rockhurst University, we gave up the joy of attending those games and willing our gridiron warriors to success. Now soccer, volleyball and basketball must fill that void. At Rockhurst, we are fortunate enough to have successful teams full of our friends; therefore it's easy to support them.
But what about football? If you need that football fix, where do you turn to? Look no further than 9301 State Line Road, 8-Time Missouri State Champion Rockhurst Hawklets.
Like it or not, the Hawklets are the closest thing Rockhurst University has to a football team. On August 31, the Hawklets opened up their season at Blue Springs South in a game nationally televised by ESPN. In the usual Rockhurst fashion, the Hawklets dominated their Missouri football powerhouse opponent, winning 42-14.
But the game against South was just the beginning of a difficult schedule, rivaling any other high school schedule in the nation.
On Sept. 5, Rockhurst faced Kansas powerhouse Hutchinson High, the team who has won the last four state championships in Class 6 football in Kansas. Following a loss against Blue Springs High School on September 13, RHS will play two out of state football giants, Minnetonka (MN) and Mullen (CO). As usual, the Hawklets look poised to make another run deep into the Missouri State Football Playoffs.
As I attended the Blue Springs vs. Rockhurst game, it hit me how the connection between Rockhurst High School and University is almost non-existent. The Rockhurst Hawks feature a few Hawklet alumni (Jeff Barnthouse for the basketball team and Derrick McKinney & Mike Walczuk for the baseball team), but beyond those two, the list of Hawklet-turned-Hawk athletes is a short one.
School pride often begins with football. It's often the first sport of the year. The hits, runs and catches excite the crowd in ways unlike any other sport. It's not just the players getting "jacked up." It's a passionate, Saturday ritual for both player and fan for many universities.
With the amount of talent Rockhurst High School has in terms of football, it seems Rockhurst University would be a natural pipeline. From Hawlet to Hawk
Beyond Rockhurst High School, think of how many other local football talents leave the area. If Rock U had a football team, perhaps this wouldn't be the case… Until then, if you're looking for a football team, think Rockhurst High. Remember, they're the closest thing we have.
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