Fresno State Athletics
Plummer Follows In Parent's Footsteps
9/27/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 27, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - From the moment he was born into a locally-known, highly skilled athletic family almost 21 years ago, there was no doubt that sophomore linebacker Shawn Plummer would grow up to become a football player, and a hard working one at that.
The son of former Fresno State football player and successful Hoover High School head coach Pat Plummer and Micki Plummer, an Olympic Volleyball athlete, Shawn was prepped to be an athlete from an early age, and is fulfilling that destiny following a family tradition of Bulldog football.
"Ever since I was born it's been football," said Plummer. "I don't think there has ever been a day there hasn't been football in my life in some sort of way. My dad has a strong work ethic he instills in me and my mom has always been there telling me never to quit. She's been an Olympic athlete and a volleyball coach at Hoover High School, and she tells me never to fall short of being the best you can be. Every night, my dad would help me with anything I needed in the backyard. My parents are by far my greatest inspiration."
And it has been his parents' commitment to their son's athleticism that has given him stability, morals and values to push through obstacles -- lessons they learned from their coaches and passed onto the next generation of the Plummer spirit. It is the sole dedication of his mom and dad that have given him security and the feeling that he is never alone.
"Throughout my high school career at Clovis High School, my dad took a sabbatical from his coaching job to make sure he could come and see me play at every game," said Plummer. "Both our games were on Friday nights, so he'd be the head coach for his team during the week and then his offense coordinator would take over on Fridays so that he could come watch me," said Plummer. "He did this for three of my four years of high school football. I also played soccer to help me with my feet and I ran track to help with conditioning and speed work. There's nothing my parents couldn't handle and we were always preparing for college, no matter what."
A walk-on on the team last season, Plummer threw himself into the game and worked hard to pay his own way through Fresno State as a freshman, a task he never saw as a struggle or roadblock in his athletic and academic career.
"I never thought twice about coming onto the team as a walk-on last season," said Plummer. "I always felt deep down that I was going to go to Fresno State but it didn't matter to me as long as I was playing football. Last season I got to play in every game as a true freshman. I was doing what I love to do and was getting an education for the future while coming out and working hard. There really has not been any obstacles I haven't been able to work around. This has been the best situation for me and it has worked out perfectly being here."
And the hard work has paid off, as Plummer was just recently granted a full athletic scholarship at Fresno State just two games into his second season as the Bulldogs' fastest linebacker.
"I feel so appreciative that I got the scholarship, and that just means my hard work has paid off. They've been paying attention, and that means the world to me," said Plummer. "I haven't always been the best student, but I've come out and worked hard and earned a 3.6, and I will continue to do so -- with or without a scholarship."
It is through Plummer's strengths and positive attitude he continues to overcome barriers by taking everyday like the last, bouncing back from the bad days to push through to good. He believes learning to work through weaknesses and develop your strengths is the best thing you can do in a tough situation, guidance he has taken from his father.
"Throughout watching my dad growing up and playing football all my life this is what I know how to do best," said Plummer. "This is why I want to be a football coach after college."
And his parent's dedication to his passion for football and the game is still alive today, as his family attends every home football game to support and cheer on their son and he continues to thrive as a Bulldog, this season and seasons to come.
"We are already planning out my senior year," said Plummer. "My family (all of them) is going to travel to every game, home and away, for my last year of college football."
Written for the Official Sports Report by Laura Hachman, Fresno State Media Relations
"We Are Your Team" - The Bulldogs travel to Hawai'i to take on the WAC rival Warriors on Saturday, October 10th at 8 p.m. The game can be seen on the Bulldog Sports Network on KAIL MY53 (Comcast Cable, Channel 13). The Bulldogs return to Bulldog Stadium on Saturday, October 17 as they host San Jose State in the annual Homecoming game. The Community Food Bank along with the Bulldog Pantry will be hosting a canned food drive so bring canned food to help feed the Central Valley's hungry. Tickets can be purchased at the Bulldog Ticket Office, by calling 278-DOGS or online at GoBulldogs.com.
