Sept. 21, 2000
It is 5:01 PM on Friday evening, 16 minutes after practice has ended. Senior, tri-captain, Darren Lenz stands perched like a hawk on the sidelines of Villanova Stadium. His vigilant eye surveys the many dimensions of the magnificent facility. As he gazes at the large sections of bleachers, the bright yellow goal posts, and the green Astroturf field his thoughts begin to reminisce of past battles contended. In his second year as a starter on the defensive line, Lenz has a lot to remember. From last year's battle with Delaware, in which the Wildcats rebounded from a 21 point fourth quarter deficit to defeat the Blue Hens 51-45 in OT, to his 33 tackles and a sack in the 1999-2000 campaign. Darren Lenz realizes he has already accomplished great things, but now his thoughts shift. He visualizes another victory, but this one was not over his opponents. Instead, his mind focuses on a personal battle he fought valiantly and won. Early in Lenz's collegiate football career he waged a battle of great magnitude. This battle wasn't waged on the football field, but overcoming it was necessary for him to be playing for Villanova today. Lenz fought off Dyslexia with the same ferociousness he uses on the field to attack the opponent's quarterback.
Dyslexia is an impairment in the brain's ability to translate images received from the eyes into understandable language. Most commonly, it causes letter and number reversals which makes reading difficult. For a student, dyslexia makes routine tasks an immense challenge. For the average student athlete the daily rigors of academics and athletics can be draining, but Lenz was forced to study even longer and harder. Academically, his ability to succeed in the classroom was being hampered. Not surprisingly, Lenz did not let dyslexia interfere with his academic goals. He graduated this past May with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications and a minor theatre.
"It has been a struggle, but I have managed to make it, graduate and get my degree," Lenz said. "I feel a great sense of pride because of that. It has always been an uphill struggle for me academically, but football has taught me a great deal of discipline and even a greater appreciation for the education that I am getting at Villanova."
Lenz's ability to take the lessons learned in his struggles academically and translate them onto the football field is apparent. Lenz does not think of himself as a natural athlete, but it is obvious that his mental tenacity has allowed him to persevere. In high school, Lenz earned several accolades for football success, including all-conference and all-state selections in 1995. Now, he has been selected as the defensive captain for a workhorse defense on a nationally ranked team.
"It is a great honor to be selected captain," Lenz said. "I have always looked up to the captains in past years. It is an honor of great integrity and great leadership ability. It is overwhelming the sense of responsibility that is placed on you by both the coaches and the surrounding community. You must have a good deal of discipline and realize the fact that regardless of your position you are not always going to be liked for what you do or say."
Lenz's success in overcoming obstacles has made him an obvious selection as captain. He has proved to his teammates and his coaches that his heart is focused on success. He took the obstacles of Dyslexia head on and overcame them. Now, his determination and work ethic are an inspiration to his teammates and he hopes what he has conquered will push them to succeed.
"I am not blessed with great amounts of athletic talent, such as players like Ducarmel Augustin and Brian Westbrook," Lenz said. I have been told that before. Hard work has been the deciding factor in how far I have been able to come. Both academically and athletically I haven't necessarily had book smarts or raw athletic talent. By understanding the game and working hard it has allowed me to not fall by the way side."
Thankfully for Villanova, Lenz hasn't listened to the pessimism surrounding his chances of succeeding both academically and athletically. Instead, he uses them as a stepping stone to further greatness. Another example of beating the odds lies deep in his heart. Lenz is from Seattle, Washington, a daunting 2,823 miles away from Villanova.
"I would have liked my family to have come out and see me play, but they understand the education opportunity that I was presented with," Lenz said. "It was very difficult my freshman year leaving my family. It takes a great deal of patience, understanding and time to get into the thought process that this is where your life is taking you and that is the right decision. I was helped a great deal by my class and the coaching staff. They helped me out by telling me that I am not the only one to be homesick."
At times, the odds seemed stacked against Lenz, but he has stuck through the difficult times with a constant positive attitude that shows no signs of waning. After graduating last year, Lenz is now pursuing a master's degree at Villanova. He also plans on succeeding and leading far above the expectations placed on him as a defensive end and captain. If the old adage is true that good things happen to good people, then Lenz will have no problem leaving Villanova with his goals, yet again, accomplished and a bright future ahead.
