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| Former Jacket Standout Chase O'Donell at Thiel College. |
By Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
August 29, 2012
GREENVILLE (PA) - Former Leesburg High School football standout Chase O'Donell will make his college football debut Saturday against Juniata College. O'Donell signed a letter of intent to play football at Thiel College located in Greenville, PA recently. Thiel college is a NCAA Division III program led by fourth year head coach Kurt Reiser.
O'Donell received offers from Bethany College, St. Vincent College, Grove City College, Stetson University, Weber International University, Methodist University, Cornell University and Point University before deciding to sign with Thiel.
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| O'Donell will play his home games in Alumni Stadium at Stoeber Field |
"I received offers from about 20 other schools mostly Division III and about five division II schools," O'Donell said in a interview with Carver Heights Quarterback Club Staff Writer Gerald Lacey.
Former Yellow Jackets Assistant Coach John Harakal made the decision a little easier for O'Donell. Harakal is the defensive coordinator for Thiel College and currently uses some of the same schemes he used while coaching in Leesburg at Thiel.
"I chose Thiel College because of Coach Harakal, thats basically the main
reason for me going all the way to Pennsylvania," O'Donell said on choosing Thiel College. "But I love it here and
its always nice to be ahead of the other guys as far as knowing the
system"
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| Former Leesburg High School Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach John Harakal. Harakal is now the defensive coordinator for Thiel College. |
O'Donell was the heart and soul of the Black Jackets defense the past two seasons under Head Coach Randy Trivers. O'Donell was named the Jackets defensive player of the year for the 2011 season. He was the team captain and led the Jackets in tackles last season. O'Donell's play was overshadowed by 2012 High School Butkus Award winner Noor Davis, but it was clear to the Jacket Nation that O'Donell was the hard and soul of the defense the past two season from his middle linebacker position.
O'Donell blue collar work ethic earned him the name "Urlacher" by his peers and teammates. He plays the game with lots of passion and that has rubbed off on the rest of his teammates. He helped led the Jackets to a 14-6 record of the past two seasons barely missing the playoffs in 2011 and 2012.
"I think my work ethic is brought out by the game," O'Donell said. "Football is something
special and something I'm very passionate about. Its a challenge and it
brings out the best in people"
Thiel’s Tomcats struggled mightily all
season, going 0-10 in 2011 and hope to turn it around this year. Thiel has 20 letterwinners returning and boasts many other players ready to step into more prominent roles in 2012. Thiel was predicted to finish last this season at the Presidents Athletic Conference Media Day Recently. O'Donell will have a chance to play right away for the Tomcats.
“No one wants to go through what we have the past two years,” coach
Kurt Reiser said. “I give credit to the kids for persevering and we’re
starting to turn the corner. It’s that kind of character that’ll help us
do that.”
"Chase is in a very good position he has worked hard and put himself in position to compete for getting in the rotation," Defensive Coordinator John Harakal said in a interview with Carver Heights Quarterback Club Staff Writer Gerald Lacey.
"As of right now Chase will start the game because he is a starter on our kick off and kick return team," Harakal said. "He is listed as our third Mike linebacker."
Harakal says that O'Donell is making a smooth transition to college life and the college game and will have to stay focus in order to be a success on and off the field at Thiel.
"He will have to be a student first go to class and perform in the classroom. Second he has to continue to work on getting better as a person, a student and a player every day," Harakal said.
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| Leesburg High School Head Coach Randy Trivers |
"Coach Trivers prepared me immensely for college especially with the
conditioning and being mentally tough," O'Donell said. "Max Green, Diontre Cornish and me
have been breezing through all the running and punishment thats been
given so far so I have to give credit to coach for that," O'Donell said.
Don't be shocked if you see O'Donell make someone All-American Team before the end of his career at Thiel College.
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Articles provided by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
1986 Leesburg Yellow Jackets Varsity Football Lettermen
Class of 1988 Leesburg High School
Gerald
is a professional Internet marketer and social media marketing expert.
His online business ventures and websites generate multiple streams of
income annually. His consulting clients include best selling authors and
international speakers.
Gerald is the CEO/President of Lacey LLC and OmariWholesale, Inc. He runs his entire business from his home where he is able to spend quality time with his family and friends. He is passionate about helping individuals to build and monetize their personal brand online
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Articles provided by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
1986 Leesburg Yellow Jackets Varsity Football Lettermen
Class of 1988 Leesburg High School
Gerald is the CEO/President of Lacey LLC and OmariWholesale, Inc. He runs his entire business from his home where he is able to spend quality time with his family and friends. He is passionate about helping individuals to build and monetize their personal brand online
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