ROBERT AWALT: : SDSU Finds a Leader in Tight End

At a time when Robert Awalt figured to be the focal point of the Sacramento Valley High School football team, he instead encountered what was to become the pivotal point of his life so far.

One day before Awalt’s junior season, Valley’s athletic director approached Coach Dave Hoskins during practice and told him: “Coach, one of your players is academically ineligible. It’s your quarterback.”

The quarterback was Awalt, and Awalt was crushed. Athletics were his entire life.

Hoskins remembers it as a time when Awalt could either have straightened out or “gone under.” Awalt chose to straighten out.

“I knew I was at the crossroads then,” Awalt said. “If I didn’t make it then, I could’ve been out pumping gas like everyone else. I wanted to play football.”

And so he is. He is a senior tight end these days for San Diego State, once again a focal point in an offense. He will be a key man when the Aztecs meet UCLA Saturday night in San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium.

All of this can be traced back to that abrupt dismissal because of academic problems back before his junior year of high school. Awalt worked hard academically that year to regain eligibility. He also spent considerable time in the weight room.

Hard work paid off in both areas. He regained his eligibility and, as a senior, led Valley to its only championship in the school’s 10-year history.

Nowadays, another football team is counting on Awalt’s leadership. SDSU Coach Denny Stolz considers Awalt the man his team’s offense revolves around. Awalt’s job is to get open or clear a path for somebody else.

In two games, Awalt has caught 8 passes for 121 yards. His 12-yard reception with 70 seconds to play set up the winning touchdown last Saturday as the Aztecs defeated Utah, 37-30.

Terry Donahue, UCLA’s coach, said Awalt is as good as any tight end in the Pacific 10. Ron Nay, Charger scouting director, said Awalt should be a first- or second-round National Football League draft choice in 1987.

Said Stolz: “I said in the spring that he would be the hub of our passing game. The rest of our receivers work around and off of him.”

Several years ago, Awalt had difficulty with priorities.

Hoskins remembers Awalt as “a man among boys” as a high school freshman. As a sophomore, Hoskins said Awalt regressed because things came so easy for him.

“He was kind of lazy then,” Hoskins said. “He started his first game as a sophomore and kind of got a big head. We had to condition him more than he wanted us to. He totally got out of that attitude his senior year.”

Late in Awalt’s sophomore year, he broke an arm in a car accident. Awalt said the injury hampered him academically, and ultimately led to his becoming ineligible as a junior.

In the year away from football, Awalt did a lot of maturing.

“As a person, things were pretty much like his athletic career then,” Hoskins said. “Part of the reason he was ineligible was because he fooled around with the wrong people. He had to make a decision one day whether to play football. I gave him hell for what he was doing. He still had the basic desire, but he could have fallen off at any time.

“A lot of people get down on the old academics vs. football issue. If Robert didn’t have athletics, he wouldn’t be where he is now. He had a burning desire to play. Athletics is the only thing that kept him from going down under.”

After Awalt’s senior season, he and Hoskins drove to Nevada Reno for a recruiting visit. Awalt decided to play for Reno.

Reno Coach Chris Ault switched Awalt to tight end because he was 6-feet 4-inches tall. Awalt was a redshirt at Reno, leaving the program after a year.

“He was a big old raw-boned kid,” Ault said. “As we look back now, I don’t think he was ready then. He didn’t give himself enough time. He was fairly impatient. At that time, I’m not sure if he wanted to play.”

According to Hoskins, there may have been a personality conflict between Ault and Awalt.

Ault is the type of coach who is verbally demanding of players. Awalt prefers the low-keyed approach, such as he gets from Stolz and receivers coach Steve Fairchild at SDSU.

“I like coaches like Coach Fairchild and Coach Stolz who talk to you man-to-man,” Awalt said. “I’m the first one to bust my butt out there. I just don’t like someone yelling at me to do this or that. I don’t get motivated by negative things. Maybe that’s the old school way. I like the new school of positive motivation.”

After Awalt left Reno, he had plenty of motivation while playing for Sacramento City College.

Sacramento City already had an established tight end, Jerry Reese, who is now a starter at Illinois. Awalt didn’t beat Reese out, but rather joined him in a two tight end offense that evolved because of Awalt’s practice performances.

For two years, Awalt was used primarily as a blocker in a run-oriented offense. He caught 16 passes, his collegiate career high, as a sophomore.

“He had a lot of time to mature and grow up with us,” said Jerry Sullivan, Sacramento City coach. “I think he made the wrong choice out of high school. The best thing for him was coming to a JC and having to compete. I think it made him buckle down and do the job.”

After Awalt’s sophomore season, he was highly sought. He visited Colorado, Iowa and UCLA before choosing SDSU.

Awalt based his decision on two factors: He could play immediately at SDSU, and the Aztecs have many players in the National Football League.

Last year, Awalt’s first with the Aztecs, wasn’t exactly what he had planned. He split time at tight end with senior Jim Laughton, catching 15 passes for 181 yards and 2 touchdowns.

“I came in expecting to tear it up,” Awalt said. “I didn’t play to my ability. The offense wasn’t designed to go to the tight end. With Webster (Slaughter) and Vince (Warren) as receivers, the tight end didn’t see the football coming his way.”

Slaughter and Warren now play in the NFL. Doug Scovil, last year’s Aztec coach, is now an assistant coach with the Philadelphia Eagles.

When Stolz arrived from Bowling Green, he brought an offense designed around the tight end. Awalt was pleased when introduced to the new offense during spring practice.

During preseason practice, Awalt assumed the role of team leader. One day after a scrimmage, he noticed that the offense and defense seemed to be competing, rather than working together. He told everybody as much, encouraging the Aztecs to be one team, not two separate units.

This came from the same player who was once considered an individualist in high school.

“I’ve heard about those things (from the past),” Stolz said. “Quite frankly, I was surprised to hear those things. He has been an absolutely perfect player for me. He probably has as much leadership as anybody on the offensive side of the ball. He has been a great practice and game player. I can’t find anything wrong with him.”

One thing the Aztecs like about Awalt is his size. He is 6-5 and weighs 240 pounds.

“Rob has the physical talent to be as good a tight end as there is,” Fairchild said. “If he plays hard, he should have a great season. He’s a thug when he wants to be.”

Awalt has worked hard to become a “thug.” During the off season he spent countless hours lifting weights and playing racquetball and basketball.

“Every time I came in the weight room during the summer, Rob was there,” running back Chris Hardy said. “When I left, he still was there.”

Said Awalt: “I have learned over the years that things don’t come easy. In my early years, I had the God-given ability to be better than everyone. Later on in life, you have to work hard because there are a lot of guys as good as you. The guy who dedicates himself comes out on top.”

Ultimately, coming out on top would mean playing pro football.

“Everyone who ever puts on a helmet dreams of playing in the NFL,” Awalt said. “If our team has a good year and I am consistent, everything will work out in the end. Right now, I’m concerned about playing UCLA this week and going to a bowl game this year.”