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SPORTS INFORMATION—2009
Coffey Just May Be Football's Guitar Hero
CLEVELAND, OH (September 17, 2009) - When Sam Coffey was growing up he and his brother Sean use to see who could kick the ball the hardest off the side of a barn in their back yard. It was a soccer ball however, not a football, but that soon changed and football fans at Case Western Reserve University are glad.
“I was the free kick taker in (high school) soccer,” Coffey explained. “I wasn’t an excellent player, but I always kicked the ball really hard. It was all soccer back then but it translated.”
Translated would be an understatement. Just two games into his junior season Coffey already holds four school records (season extra points: 53 in 2008, career extra points: 111, season field goals: 12 in 2007 and career field goals 24).
“I really didn’t even know about any of that stuff [records],” Coffey said. “My family began to love football when I got to Case. Before that no one really knew anything about it – we were a soccer family. So they care about things like records and stats – I just want to win and not let my teammates down.”
Well he hasn’t as Coffey has never lost a regular season game in college. The Spartans are 22-0 [23-0 total] and the Middleton, Ohio native can add two-time University Athletic Association (UAA) champion, two-time NCAA postseason participate and two-time All-UAA First Team selection to his football resume.
“To tell you the truth I never really expected it, but at the same time I never expected to lose,” Coffey said confidently. “I just always thought we were going to be good for some reason and I have never had any doubt going into any game – never.”
The thing about a high potent offense, which the Spartans have had during Coffey’s time in University Circle, is that every time your score you have to kick an extra point followed by a kick-off. And when they don’t put it in the end zone, they are at least within field goal range.
“It’s awesome,” Coffey said. “There were times in high school when I kicked the ball one time [in a game] – the kick-off at halftime. Now I’m sore the next day from kicking. People make fun of me, but I really get sore from kicking the ball so much.”
One way Coffey relaxes, whether it’s from soreness or his rigorous academic workload as an economics major, is by playing the guitar. It all began in third grade with a cheap acoustic model his mom bought him at Wal-Mart and has flourished to a full-time hobby.
“I have been playing every since then,” Coffey said. “I have had a couple lessons, but besides that I have pretty much taught myself. Nobody in my family played music at all, it was just fun to do and it was a way to pass the time.”
Coffey was in various bands with friends while in high school. He could not remember all their names, but did recall one – “Yours Truly”. The All-State jazz guitarist has performed at pep rallies, weddings and played in a few concerts, but sing-alongs with his teammates outrank all those performances.
“They always make me get the guitar out,” the economics major explained. “We have kind of been united through a couple different artists, Blink 182 is one we play a lot, Dashboard Confessional, and Sublime – bands that were popular when we were in high school.”
So we know the Spartans can play football, but can they sing?
“We all sing – it’s fun,” Coffey laughingly. “None of us are good singers. Zach Homyk is probably the best.”
“Reason to Believe” is one of Dashboard Confessional’s songs and that could be Coffey and his fellow singers/teammates theme song. Every Saturday since the start of the 2007 season, the No. 10-ranked Spartans have given the Case Western Reserve community just that.
CLICK HERE to view another YouTube video also featuring one of Coffey's [who is playing electric guitar] my best buddies, Jeff Wyckoff, who is playing acoustic guitar. CLICK HERE to see a YouTube video that features Coffey playing an acoustic guitar. He is playing fingerstyle which was made popular by artist Andy McKee.
MORE FOOTBALL...
CLICK HERE... In case you missed last week's Rochester game on the internet, or locally on the radio, to listen to the highlights narrated by play-by-play voice Dave Wilson.
CLICK HERE... To listen to the post game interview with senior quarterback Dan Whalen who threw for five touchdowns and ran for one at Rochester. He was named the UAA Offensive Player of the Week for the second consecutive time.
ABOUT CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY … Case is among the nation's leading research institutions. Founded in 1826 and shaped by the unique merger of the Case Institute of Technology and Western Reserve University, Case is distinguished by its strengths in education, research, service, and experiential learning. Located in Cleveland, Case offers nationally recognized programs in the Arts and Sciences, Dental Medicine, Engineering, Law, Management, Medicine, Nursing, and Social Work. http://www.case.edu.