Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, December 10, 1993 TAG: 9312100057
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Mount Union quarterback is lugging around plenty of school, Ohio Athletic Conference and NCAA records on his visit to Salem for Saturday's Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl. This morning, he'll add 60 pounds to his baggage.
Ballard will accept the first Gagliardi Trophy as the Division III player of the year. Named for John Gagliardi, the 306-win coach at St. John's (Minn.), the sponsoring J-Club hopes to make this national honor the Heisman for the little guys.
In Ballard, they're starting with a big man with big numbers. And he'll be shaking hands at the presentation this morning at the Salem Civic Center with Gagliardi for the second time in a week.
The 6-foot-4 senior completed 20 of 28 passes for an NCAA-playoff record eight touchdowns in last Saturday's rain-drenched semifinal ripping of St. John's. A Stagg Bowl committee member from Salem who attended that game said Ballard "looked like a guy picking off ducks at one of those shooting galleries."
Bill Ramseyer would understand that. He recruited Ballard to Wilmington College, where the confident quarterback started as a freshman. Then, Ramseyer moved to Virginia's coalfields to start the program at Clinch Valley College. He asked Ballard to move with him.
"I seriously considered it," Ballard said Thursday. "I talked with my parents about it. Coach Ramseyer was starting a new program, but it was so far from home."
So, Ballard went to the college Larry Kehres thought the Cuyahoga Falls High star would attend as a freshman. Kehres, the Mount Union coach, had Brad Petro returning for his senior season at quarterback.
Ballard went where he could play. Mount Union went 10-0 in 1990 before losing to eventual NCAA champ Allegheny (Pa.) in the first round of the playoffs. Ramseyer then went to Clinch Valley. Ballard then went closer to home, where in three regular seasons he threw an NCAA-record 115 scoring passes, including 51 this season for the 13-0 Purple Raiders.
"Jim's been exceptional for us," said Kehres, who changed his offense from an option attack to take advantage of Ballard's dropback passing skills. "He's in his third year as a starter, and he's got the poise to keep things together.
"He might make mistakes at times, but he responds to challenges."
Arm strength, confidence, blocking, a veteran team and Mount Union's high-percentage passing game bolster Ballard, but he pushes himself through challenges he takes personally.
Last Saturday, Ballard carried around a photo of St. John's quarterback Willie Seiler, who posted an NCAA-record quarterback rating this season. Ballard ranked second in passing efficiency to Seiler.
Ballard sat in front of his locker and stared at the photo of Seiler before last weekend's game in Alliance, Ohio. Then, he tore up the picture and went out and tore up the Johnnies.
In the Gagliardi voting, Ballard and Seiler finished 1-2, too.
"It's a great honor, especially since it's the first time it's ever been presented," Ballard said. "There are many more people who should share it, like my teammates and coaches.
"It's great to get it, but what I'm really here for, what we're here for, is to win a national championship. We came so close last year (losing to champion Wisconsin-LaCrosse in the semifinals 29-24). That was really tough."
Ballard is a pro prospect, and he says, "if someone gives me a legitimate chance, I think I'll make it." He shared the preseason Division III focus in Sports Illustrated, which picked Mount Union No. 1.
Rowan has its own superb quarterback in Ed Hesson. Ballard has watched him on film.
"He can really throw the ball," said Ballard, who is someone who should know. "It helps me to make it something personal. I'd like to outplay him."
It's all part of Ballard wanting to be the best. When he gets the Gagliardi today, he will be.
He also knows Saturday is another day.
by CNB