Fresno State Athletics
A New Man
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Oct. 11, 1999
by Abby Wigstrom, Fresno State Media Relations
Four years go by fast. Senior Rob Gatrell can attest to that. He can see the end to his successful college football career. It happens to every athlete ? the redshirt season becomes a blurry dream, then two years of suiting up and watching the games roll by and teammates come and go. Then, at last, the athlete is an upperclassman, where time can?t seem to stand still long enough to sit back and enjoy. It's an affliction that strikes most student-athletes. Gatrell is no different.
Recruited to Fresno State as a tight end, he was moved to offensive lineman by the Jim Sweeney-led coaching staff his freshman season. It was a difficult transition for Gatrell, who recalls struggling to learn plays and the concepts of the position.
"I weighed 240 pounds when they switched me," Gatrell said. "I went on a free-for-all eating fest to gain weight."
Now weighing in at 300 pounds, he isn't about to let up yet. During his remaining time as a Bulldog, Gatrell is focused on what he and his teammates can accomplish on the field this year. Leading a young and inexperienced offensive line that sports only two seniors, Gatrell accepts nothing less than the best from himself and his teammates.
"I trust that everyone out there is going to do their job and work their hardest," Gatrell said. "Being an inexperienced line isn?t an excuse. Our young guys have to grow up fast. As a senior I try to be there for them if they have questions, but I?m not a big ?rah-rah? guy. I just play my game and do my best. Hopefully the younger guys see how I play and how I prepare and try to follow."
Gatrell has changed more than just his position at Fresno State. He has matured as a person, a process heavily influenced by his fianc?e, Kendra.
"My fianc?e has straightened my out a lot," Gatrell said. "The first couple of years I wasn?t focusing on school at all. I thought football was the only thing out there for me. Then I met her."
The priority shift included focusing not solely on football but instead on improving himself and working on his relationship with Kendra. It also included a more dedicated approach to his academics. He credits associate head coach John Baxter's Academic Gameplan as having helped create the discipline within himself necessary to achieve as a student-athlete.
"The Academic Gameplan changed me a lot as a person," Gatrell said. "Coach Hill stresses being a student-athlete. He wants things done right on the field and in the classroom."
His renewed discipline and dedication to his schoolwork will manifest itself in the form of a degree in art and graphic design, which he is set to receive in May 2000. After graduating, Gatrell hopes to coach football and teach art and graphic design at the high school level. That is, of course, unless the NFL comes calling.
"I love football," Gatrell says. "I love the competitiveness of the game, I love the guys, and would love to keep playing. But you never know when your last down will be."
On occasion, he has thought about pulling off his No. 68 for the last time. It will, he admits, not be something easy for him to do.
"I'm really going to miss being around the guys," Gatrell said. "It takes more than a regular person to come out here and do this everyday. To not be a part of the team will be the hardest. We?ve been one big family for five years."
It's a family Gatrell plans on having plenty of fun and happy times with until the final horn sounds on his career.
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