Hard Work Pays Off
August 28, 2010 10:20 AM | General
August 28, 2010
MORGANTOWN, W. Va. – There’s something powerful and inspirational about athletes who come into a nationally ranked athletic program as walk-ons.
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| All of the hard work if finally paying off for Parkersburg's Matt Lindamood.
All-Pro Photography/Dale Sparks photo |
Maybe it’s because the lack of a scholarship signifies that they’re truly playing for the love of the game, or maybe it’s because they tend to have a sense of motivation and dedication that others can’t help but admire. Maybe it’s none of the above. Either way, when redshirt sophomore Matt Lindamood walked into the interview room on Tuesday afternoon, he kept the media captivated despite the presence of much better known players.
It’s not a huge surprise that Lindamood joined the team as a walk-on. After all, he was a three-year starter at running back and linebacker for Bernie Buttrey at Parkersburg High. He was the runner-up for the Kennedy Award as a senior, signifying the top player in the state of West Virginia, and along with teammate Josh Jenkins, he helped lead Parkersburg to a 35-5 record during his final three seasons. Yet he was also an outstanding wrestler, and many people thought he would choose to pursue that sport in college.
“I didn’t really think much about wrestling,” said Lindamood. “I’d been doing that since I was three years old, and I was kind of burned out. I love the sport of football though, and I thought about playing football at other places but when I came here I knew that this was it.”
A Parkersburg native, Lindamood experienced his first West Virginia football game during his junior year in high school, when his uncle brought him to Morgantown.
“I can’t remember exactly what game it was, but my uncle had brought me to a game and I was sitting way up top. Then I finally came with Josh Jenkins and he brought me up here and we were down on the field and we got to walk up and that was certainly an experience.”
An experience that Lindamood wouldn’t forget, and one that solidified his desire to play Mountaineer football.
“Just seeing everyone out there supporting this team was amazing,” he said. “The whole state that I love was out there. They were there to be behind this football team, the one thing they want to win in this state, the Mountaineers.”
It wasn’t easy for Lindamood to get his start. Last fall he spent a year improving his strength and skills before getting his chance to contribute to special teams on the field. It all paid off when the 2009 season was over, however, as he saw playing time in 12 games and saw action on more than 75 plays with special teams including five tackles with four solo stops.
A member and leader of the FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes), Lindamood attributes his success to his belief that he was meant to be here.
“I feel like I’m here for a reason, that God has called me to do something here and I just want to work as hard as I can for Him,” he explained. “I want to try and fulfill what He’s laid out for me because none of this just happened. He had a plan for me to be here and I’m trying to fulfill it.”
Part of that plan may have just been fulfilled. Earlier this week, the Nickolich Award winner received welcome news. After three years of hard work, he had finally been awarded a scholarship, officially changing his status from walk-on player to scholarship athlete.
“It was good news, and I really needed good news,” said Lindamood with a huge smile.
Back home in Parkersburg, Lindamood’s father has been facing a possible layoff from his job. A longtime plant worker for General Electric plastics, Mark Lindamood’s job is on the line because of the recent cutbacks from a Saudi Arabian company that obtained GE’s plastics division, according to his son. Despite being high on the seniority list, if the factory is shut down, Mark Lindamood will lose his job.
“This definitely takes a lot off of his back, not having to worry anymore about putting me through college,” Lindamood said. “He doesn’t really care if he loses his job except for the fact that he won’t be able to put his children through school anymore.”
Now, after a standout spring and summer camp, the Iron Mountaineer can place his full focus on the upcoming season, worry free.
“Being a part of this - being able to lead the state that I’m from is just awesome,” said Lindamood. “I’m looking forward to it, I’m looking forward to getting in there and playing during the season on special teams, doing whatever I can do to help the team.”
Mountaineer fans are looking forward to it, too.
