One Final Game
December 31, 2007 02:46 PM | General
December 31, 2007
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – It only takes one quick glance at West Virginia University’s Marc Magro to recognize he’s a linebacker. Maybe it’s his muscular 6-foot-3-inch, 240-pound frame. Perhaps it’s the limp in his walk stemming from his four knee surgeries. Or maybe it’s the gash in his nose from the daily beating from his helmet.
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| Linebacker Marc Magro gets one more opportunity to put on the Gold and Blue in the 2008 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.
All-Pro Photography/Dale Sparks |
Regardless of what tipped you off, it’s clear Magro fits the bill of a nasty linebacker. And the fifth-year senior wouldn’t have it any other way.
“That is why you play the game - to be physical,” said Magro, who doesn’t mind being called a modern day gladiator. “That is the time you are allowed to hit people in the mouth and be aggressive. That is what it’s all about for me.”
The titanium-tough Magro has been a key ingredient in West Virginia’s defense this season. He has also developed into a pass rusher and is tied with defensive end Johnny Dingle for the lead in quarterback sacks with eight.
“His senior year has been his best year by far,” said defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel.
“He’s probably a fan favorite because of the way he plays the game. He’s a bar room brawler who loves contact. He gives the same effort whether it’s Saturday night in front of 65,000 people or if it’s Tuesday afternoon in a one-on-one drill.”
Magro has played all three linebacker positions this year, finishing the regular season third in tackles with a total of 79. His 12 tackles for loss rank second-best on the team.
The Morgantown, W.Va., native is finally enjoying an injury-free season. It was just last season that Magro played the entire year with a torn ACL. There were also sprained ankles, thigh contusions, a broken hand and mononucleosis during his career.
“He’s as tough as they come,” said Casteel, who also oversees the linebackers. “We are talking about a guy who played on a torn ACL last year and never even missed a practice. I know NFL scouts will come in and ask me about him and I tell them that, and their jaws drop to the floor.”
Few can match the intensity Magro brings to work on a daily basis. That quality is one his teammates have yearned for themselves.
“He has dedicated himself to being the very best,” said fellow linebacker Bobby Hathaway. “He puts the extra time in the weight room, he watches a lot of film; he’s a leader to the younger guys. I don’t know how he brings that intensity and focus to work every day. The guy refuses to be out-worked.”
“He is a perfectionist,” said Casteel. “And perhaps even more important is he always wants to do his best whether anyone’s watching or not. He takes pride in everything he does.”
Laying the foundation and stressing the importance of having a strong work ethic was his parents, Phil and Suzanne.
“I was able to watch my parents work hard while growing up," shared Magro. “They told me that if I want to be successful in anything in life it starts with hard work. They also taught me to take great pride in everything I do.”
Those life lessons did not stop when Magro became a freshman at West Virginia. The local kid decided to live at home with his parents instead of experiencing life in the college dorms. The choice has proved beneficial and to this day, Magro remains under his parent’s roof.
“I think about that often,” explained Magro. “There are some traditional college experiences that I missed out on but I’m OK with that. The positives greatly out-weigh the negatives from living at home.
“My family means the world to me. Some parents don’t kick their kids out, but when college rolls around, they say it’s time to move on and be on your own. My stay at home has been prolonged for five years. It’s been a blessing to have a great family to take care of me.”
Like most kids in Morgantown, Magro grew up a fan of the team in his backyard.
“I’ve been a Mountaineer fan for as along as I can remember,” recalled Magro. “My parents had season tickets so I was fortunate to see a lot of games. And before games my buddies and I would play football in the grass acting like we were (West Virginia) players. It has been a dream come true to play at West Virginia.”
In four seasons, Magro has compiled 184 tackles, including 20 for lost yardage. He has also logged 11 sacks, forced four fumbles, recovered two fumbles and tallied seven pass break-ups.
“You’d like to think you will do well but to be here for five years and have the success that we’ve had, it’s been awesome,” said Magro, taking a moment to reflect on his career. “Playing in two BCS (Bowl Championship Series) games is something this group of guys should be proud of,”
His dreams extend beyond a successful collegiate career in which his Mountaineer teams have won 48 games over the past five years, with two BCS appearances. Magro has goals of playing professional football next fall.
“I hope to make it in the NFL and repay them (my family) for all they’ve done for me,” said Magro, who will graduate in May. “I’ve worked hard to get to this point in my career and I just want a shot.”
For now, his focus is on the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, where the 10-2 Mountaineers will play the 11-2 Oklahoma Sooners. Magro will participate in his final practice today as a West Virginia player.
“It is a shame that my career is nearly over,” said Magro of the next two days. “I don’t have any regrets about the last five years. It will probably hit me when I run out onto the field on Jan. 2.
“Unfortunately, I have already run onto Mountaineer Field for my last time. It will be tough knowing this is the last time I will get to wear the gold and blue and represent West Virginia University.”
Throughout his career, Magro has quietly gone about his business and done things the right way. He has represented himself - his family, his teammates, his university and his state - in a way that few have.
“He is somebody that works hard, respects the game and has pride in his school,” explained Casteel. “I tell younger guys to follow his lead all the time. How he carries himself on and off the field is what every coach looks for in a player. He’ll be playing in his last game as a Mountaineer and is truly a player that will be tough to replace.”
When it’s all said and done Wednesday night after the Fiesta Bowl, it’s safe to say Marc Magro will have once again made West Virginians proud.
