October 7, 2010

Decorated linebacker prepares for home game against Big Sky opponent Northern Arizona at Roos Field this Saturday

By Krystal Deyo, EWU Sports Information

Senior J.C. Sherritt of the Eastern Washington University football team has already racked up a long list of accomplishments in his career. But he says he won’t let the spotlight blind him from what really matters: the goal of winning the Big Sky Conference Championships.

A Buck Buchanan Award candidate who finished second in the voting last season, Sherritt has been named to multiple All-America teams and is one of the favorites to win the 2010 Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Year honor. He now has 306 career tackles, which closes him in on the school record of 399 held by Greg Belzer (1997-2000). 

The Pullman, Wash., native has excelled in the classroom, being named as Scholar-Athlete of the Month for September. He a secondary physical education/health and fitness major with a 3.46 grade point average. Sherritt hopes to pursue a profession in sports management and also intends to coach football at the collegiate level. 

Q: You have made quite a name for yourself, not only this season, but throughout your career at Eastern. How do you deal with being such a celebrity?  

A: “I don’t really pay too much attention to those awards. I’ve never won a Big Sky Championship, and that’s always been one of my goals since I’ve been here. That is what I have to focus on right now.” 

Q: Last weekend (Oct. 2) the defense had three interceptions against Weber State, which were all later turned into touchdowns. How important is it for the defense to set-up scoring opportunities? 

A: “It’s huge. Coach Baldwin brought up a good point, saying that last year we only had one game where we didn’t win the turnover battle. They’ve done studies, showing that usually the team that causes the most turnovers wins the most games because they’re getting the offense the ball back.”
 

Q: You now have over 300 career tackles. Is the school record of 399 in your sights?  

A: “Someone actually just told me that today, as I was walking here. I didn’t really know I was getting close. If I do break it, I’m sure Matt [Johnson] will break it right after I do.” 

Q: You’re obviously a tackling machine. What goes through your head when you see your target? 

A: “I don’t know really. I’ve been playing the same position since I was 10 years old, so, by now I think my body just reacts. I guess, aim low.”
 

Q: Who is your favorite professor at Eastern? 

A: “Chadron Hazelbaker and Carri Kreider. Every class that I’ve had with them has been awesome. The classes that are supposed to be boring, they somehow make them interesting.” 

Q: What is your most embarrassing play or uncoordinated move? 

A: “I get teased constantly for being short, and so any time a pass goes just out of the reach of my fingers, I get teased about it.” 

Q: Who is your favorite teammate? 

A: “It’s got to be Bobby Gentry. He’s a jack of all trades. He’s entertaining and he’s the original Guido.”

Q: What do you plan to do with your degree? 

A: “I want to get my masters in sports management. I want to try to go on to coach college football but then still have the opportunity to teach and coach in high school.”