KUTZTOWN, PA (July 30, 2010) – No matter where they have traveled in life or on the football field, the road always inevitability leads back to Kutztown University for Dave Steckel, Bruce Harper and many other former football players who participated in the annual Kutztown University Football Golf Scramble Friday afternoon at the Woodbridge Country Club. (PHOTO GALLERY)
“This is my second home,” Harper said. “What I remember the most during my time here at Kutztown are the relationships and the people. It just doesn't get any better than that. These relationships are forever and that's reflective in the turnout today. That's why we always come back.”
The stories flowed like water down the Mississippi River. There were so many smiles and laughs among everybody as they strolled down memory lane that it would've made the Joker look like he had a frown. Everybody had a great time as they gathered to raise scholarship dollars for the football program, which was represented by current players Jared Haas (Linglestown, PA/Cental Dauphin), Kevin Morton (Abington, PA/Abington) and Troy Robinson (Marietta, GA/Kell). It certainly was an afternoon that connected generations of Kutztown football players.
While Harper enjoyed a successful career in the National Football League with the New York Jets, he is continuing to excel with his mentoring program Heroes and Cool Kids, a not-for-profit organization that utilizes professional athletes to teach high school students to become leaders for younger children. Meanwhile, Steckel is currently the defensive coordinator for the University of Missouri football team. He was instrumental in the recruiting of Heisman Trophy candidate Chase Daniel.
However, Friday afternoon, Steckel was a Golden Bear again as he chilled with teammates Kevin Owens, who is the head football coach at Glen Mills Schools in Pennsylvania, and several others. Asked to divulge the memories, Steckel showcased his trademark quick wit.
“I don't know if we can put those in print,” Steckel said. “The memories are great and to be around these guys is priceless. To see some of the young players going through Kutztown now and all of the others that came before me is a wonderful feeling. We have the great memories of the bonding in the locker room along with stories off the field. Now when we return, we talk with the young kids about how important it is to leave here with their degrees. This is something really cool to come back to. Attending Kutztown were the best years of our lives.”
Harper also had plenty of fun as he hopped in his golf chart with friends Bob Mireski and Rich Kearney. They were all dapperly dressed in bright white golf shirts and blue-and-white striped shorts. While posing for a photo, Harper attempted to snatch a white West Chester towel from friend and former Kutztown football coach Bill McGrath.
Harper encouraged Steckel and his teammates during their time at Kutztown. They were as much a part of the Kutztown landscape as the clock on top of Old Main. Seeing them on a consistent basis is something that Steckel always remembered. After all, Harper was extending the tree of growth planted by Doug Dennison, who played for the Dallas Cowboys.
“Bruce Harper and Steve Head were a great inspiration for us because they let us know that guys at small colleges can go to the NFL,” Steckel said. “Our team was blessed because we had a guy named Donnie Shaver who was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings as a running back. Then in our senior year, Andre Reed was a freshman; so it's kind of cool that little guys who are great players can go on to the NFL. It really all started right before Bruce with Doug Dennison and continued with Harper and Steve Head. The thing that was great about both was that they kept coming back here and we kept seeing them and they always kept giving back to the program. I hope everybody is doing that with coach Monica because he is just a great man.”
Kutztown's tradition of making an impact was showcased by the fact that every year from 1974 to 2003, a Golden Bear was represented on an active NFL roster. Harper, Dennison, Reed and John Mobley are the ones who appeared in an NFL game along with Mike Kullman and Bob DiRico, who played during the 1987 strike.
“It's a great thing to be back here, getting together with my old buddies, having fun and talking trash to each other,” Harper said. “The old stories get more and more drastic each year. I was greater than I was way back then. It's just fun and it's for a good cause. Whatever we can do to elevate the program and school is all good. I am happy to be here with my old buddies.”
Make no mistake, they continue to follow the Golden Bear progress. Harper was elated when he learned that Dontay Wilson (Stamford, CT/Stamford) passed his career total of 2,169 yards on the Kutztown all-time rushing list against Indiana (Pa.) in the Golden Bears' 2009 season finale. Wilson has 2,174 yards, which is sixth in school history. Steckel makes it a point to pick up a Sunday newspaper and check the Kutztown score.
No matter where I am in the country, I check them out every single Sunday,” Steckel said. “Then when they're not in there, I have my daughter go and check the website.”
Harper visits the area often. His former teammate, Bill McGrath still lives close by.
“I didn't think about playing professionally when I was here,” Harper said. “I know I wanted to play professionally but the truth is, it doesn't matter where you go to school. If you have the skills and the drive, you can make it happen wherever you go to school. Certainly Kutztown is a school that will provide you with everything you need and give you every opportunity to successfully reach the next step in life. We all come back and this is like a meeting place. I come back here very happily.”
--KU--
