Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, November 5, 1993 TAG: 9311050179
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ANDREA KUHN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LEXINGTON LENGTH: Medium
Robert Hull is a student-athlete, with emphasis on the student.
Actually, the sophomore starting defensive tackle for Washington and Lee says he has found the best of both worlds - and he hardly had to leave his own back yard.
Hull was a standout at Lexington High School and was offered scholarships by NCAA Division I colleges. But in the selection process, Hull was more interested in evaluating premed facilities than football facilities.
"I turned those down because I wanted a good education," said Hull, also a Group A high school wrestling champion. "I want to be a doctor. Football is second to me. Hull Most of the Division I schools that I visited, even though they said thatacademics were number one, I know that isn't always the case. You're playing because you're being paid. You're not playing for thelove of the game, which is really what Division III is all about."
Hull has been a bright spot in a bleak season for the Generals (1-6). He leads the team in tackles (89), sacks (eight) and fumble recoveries (five). In a 26-23 loss to Sewanee two weeks ago, he was chosen the Old Dominion Athletic Conference defensive player of the week.
"It's nice to have a good game, but I'll take a win anytime," he said.
The Generals' only victory this season was a 41-16 thumping of Bridgewater last Saturday when Hull recorded six tackles and sack.
"He's a 100-percenter," said W&L coach Gary Fallon. "He's really developing his techniques now. He was a little raw as far as techniques were concerned as a freshman. He'd get himself into trouble by just chasing the ball and not going through his proper technique or taking his proper responsibility."
Hull agreed.
"The coaches' techniques helped me out a lot," he said. "And I finally realized that this is no longer high school ball and the level of competition is much greater. You have to change or you're just going to remain sitting on the bench. It's definitely a learning process."
Hull is also doing a good chunk of learning off the field. His premed curriculum this term includes courses in chemistry, genetics and history.
"I wanted to play athletics, but I wanted to have a decent balance between athletics and academics," he said. "This is a very challenging school."
Hull also plays on the W&L lacrosse team, recording four goals and two assists in seven games as a midfielder last year.
Hull, whose father is a dentist, plans on becoming a radiologist. However, he said he "would just like to get into med school at this point."
He's gotten some hands-on experience in the medical field by volunteering in the emergency room at Stonewall Jackson Hospital in Lexington.
"I do whatever they need, just help out," Hull said. "I talk to patients, keep them company. I help them with any little things they might need done. They're a great staff. They're very willing to help volunteers learn.
"I pretty much just run errands, but you get to watch and see them diagnose things. It's good to be around that, because it really lets you know if it's something you want to do."
Hull said he hasn't ever regretted his decision to attend W&L, but he has thought about what it would have been like to play in a Division I program.
"Sometimes I wish I had gone Division I, but I think bar-none that the advantages of playing at D-III surpass playing Division I. I have a life here. I enjoy school. I can't imagine being anywhere else, really.
"Definitely having your education paid for would be fantastic, but football becomes a job and not a game then. And it's a full-time job and commitment. I mean, it is a very big commitment at W&L, but it isn't life at W&L. Football is something I do to relieve the pressures of the classroom, to have fun and meet people, people who love the game."
Fallon said he also thought Hull had made the right choice.
"He wouldn't have been able to play lacrosse or concentrate on his studies as much had he gone to a Division I or I-AA school.
"I can't help but think that Robert has his best playing days ahead of him."
by CNB