Klitzke's road back to the gridiron impressing others

Written for CUWFalcons.com by Jasmin Bowers, which appeared in the Sept. 13 game program

Shay Klitzke is mature well beyond his years, both on and off the gridiron. He is determined to be better than anyone who has come before him and has put winning at the top of his list.

The senior running back is the embodiment of the term 'student-athlete'. For him, athletics is just as important as hitting the books. "It's an honor to go to school at CUW. I love playing football and working towards a degree, while earning lifelong friends," he stated.

Like any player, Klitzke has faced challenges in the game of football. The biggest test for him was the gap between high school and the 2013 football season when he put the pads back on after a lengthy hiatus of nearly four years. Even then, the pause gave him the needed lessons in strength training and becoming a man. Despite those years away from football, he was named the Falcons starting running back by the second game last season.

Fast forward 12 games to the season opener a week ago at North Park University and Klitzke rushed for his career-high 114 yards and touchdown. It doesn't take much to realize that he can handle any situation he is faced with.

In regards to the number of yards Klitzke accumulated, he stated, "It felt good. I didn't even realize it until I saw the stats well after the game. We didn't have a lot of big plays; it was more tough yards and just playing football." Despite having a career game to start the season, he plans to stick with what needs to be done in the grand scheme of the offense. He is the epitome of the phrase is no "I" in "team".

The fifth-year exercise physiology major started his athletic career at CUW as a forward on the hockey team. After two years on the ice and a year off, and with time and consideration he decided to join the family tradition of becoming a starting running back – and excelling at it. His grandfather, father and brother were each named all-state football players during their high school careers.

As a running back, Klitzke enjoys not only running the ball, but also helping his offensive line block for one of the nation's highest scoring offenses. "It doesn't frustrate me not getting a lot of carries. You run the ball, catch the ball and block for others. I love helping this team in all aspects and just being ready for any play called."

To gain a deeper understanding of the 165-pound bulldozer of a runner, offensive coordinator Henny Hiemenz couldn't contain his excitement when pointing out one of Klitzke's main attributes. "His maturity level is remarkable. He's more mature than your typical college athlete."

It wasn't too difficult to see what Hiemenz was talking about, as Klitzke was on his way to the weight room less than 48 hours after Saturday's impressive season-opening road victory.

Hiemenz continued to praise the all-around running back, but more importantly, his trust in him is seen on the field. With the Falcons less than 15 yards from scoring the winning touchdown at North Park and under two minutes on the clock, Hiemenz called Klitzke's number three-consecutive times. While he didn't score, it was his first carry of the streak that gave CUW a critical first down to keep the drive alive.

The skills Hiemenz talked about for his running back was numerous, from good hands and pass protection, to aggressiveness and quick decisions. Despite the praise and challenges the Annandale, Minn., native has faced, he remains humble. Every player will have individual goals, but Klitzke's were about the team and winning. Not shocking, but exactly what you expect to hear from a selfless student-athlete.

Klitzke is a man who has a heart that runs deeper than imaginable. The 5-foot-5 and 165-pounder doesn't blink when he puts his body in harm's way when asked to block a 300-pound defensive lineman or linebacker looking to destroy him.

To those that follow him, he stated, "Have inspiration for the game and getting better is what matters to me."