From a proud grandpa.
Capping a Career
By Jasen Asay (Standard-Examiner staff )
Last Edit: 10 hours 26 min ago (Nov 25 2009 - 7:30pm)
OGDEN -- When Trevyn Smith first stepped on Weber State's campus, he did so with a chip on his shoulder. Five years later the chip might still be there, but it's been joined by the long list of accomplishments he has gathered while becoming one of the most dominant running backs the Big Sky Conference has ever seen. It's those sets of numbers that show how dedicated he has been to the program.
The senior running back, who leads the No. 15-ranked Wildcats against the nation's top rushing defense on Saturday when WSU plays at No. 6-ranked William & Mary in the first round of the Division I FCS playoffs, has worked hard to dazzle fans during his career as a Wildcat.
"He's one of those guys who have always fought his way up from whatever," coach Ron McBride said. "He wasn't recruited by a big Division I school, then he comes here and redshirts as a freshman, which was tough on him because he thought he should play as a true freshman and he probably should have, but I think it was good for him to save him that year."
Smith led the state in rushing with 2,108 yards in 2004 as a senior at Springville High School, however, he didn't get attention from the bigger schools in the state so he gladly came to WSU. Ever since taking over the starting job five games into his freshman season, Smith has become the most decorated running back in WSU history.
Smith's list of accomplishments is a long one. He broke the WSU all-time rushing record as a junior, and he has racked up 5,007 yards in his career, third in Big Sky history. On Tuesday he was named as a first-team all-conference member for the fourth time, one of just three players in the 47-year history of the league to have that honor. Last season Smith led the nation in scoring with 28 touchdowns.
Just like after any big game, Smith is the first to give the credit elsewhere.
"I couldn't have put up the numbers I did without my guys," Smith said. "Every offensive line I've had in the past four years has been unbelievable, well-coached and I couldn't have done it without them or the throwing game."
Smith also led the league in rushing his first three seasons, one of just two players to do so, and came into this season hoping to be the first to lead the Big Sky for four consecutive seasons. However Smith currently ranks fourth, averaging 97.9 yards per game, which is something that isn't even on his mind as the Wildcats prepare for the playoffs.
"I haven't even thought about it, that's how much I don't care," Smith said. "It's important to me and these numbers matter, but what good have they done me? I think if we won a national championship it would do me more credit than if I led the league in rushing and we didn't even go."
This hasn't been the storybook final season for Smith. He was suspended for WSU's game at Northern Colorado for violating a team rule, and would likely have had a big rushing game that day. The following week at Montana, Smith injured his ankle on the very first play and had to deal with that, along with the tough Montana defense.
"He puts his heart and soul into the game, that's why I love that kid," said WSU offensive lineman J.C. Oram. "He's always going to be my running back. I can't be happier to be a part of his career."
It's Smith's teammates and his family that drive him to play well. Trevyn and his wife, Erica, are the proud parents of two beautiful children. Their daughter, Ryan, turned two on Nov. 14 while their son, Reggi, celebrated his first birthday on Nov. 4.
"It's not easy being a dad and a husband and play football and try to be good football," Smith said. "The thing that makes it worth it is playing for them."
Ryan is blind in one eye and has little vision in the other due to a medical condition called optic nerve hypoplasia, and the Smiths are preparing to have her undergo stem cell treatments. Initially, the family planned on going to China to have the procedure done, but the specific treatment Ryan needs is close to being approved to be done in the United States. Since age is not a factor in the procedure, the Smiths want to have the treatments in the U.S. at the right time.
As Smith prepares to play what could be his last game as a Wildcat, he can fondly look back and be proud of what he has accomplished at Weber State.
"I haven't always been the biggest weight room guy, or always been necessarily what I'm supposed to be at all times, but I'm a good father and a good husband and they take some of my time and they deserve it," Smith said. "People can say what they want, but I show up on Saturdays."
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Myrna wrote: Congratulations to you and to Trevyn. You were a great player as well. It must be in the genes.
