BASCHKO IN ALL-STAR GAME

BEES SENIOR CAPS DREAM SEASON

By Dom DiPasqua/Staff Writer

Monday night, June 1, 2015

BRECKSVILLE – Two years ago at this time Evan Baschko was playing baseball and thinking about band camp. A year ago he traded in his tuba for a helmet and pads. Today Baschko, a hulking 6-4, 275-pound lineman, is preparing for an appearance in an all-star football game.

Baschko has authored one of the most incredible personal stories in Brecksville-Broadview Heights football history. He quit the band to play football. It was his dream to run through the inflatable Bee tunnel and onto the field with the team on Friday night. While sitting high up in the bandstand he always wondered what it would feel like.

This past season, starting with opening night at Serpentini Stadium against Holy Name, Baschko raced onto the turf that hot August evening while his former band mates blared the BBHHS fight song. It was the realization of a dream.

Baschko, who who recorded 21 tackles, including 5 for a loss of 10 yards, ran onto the field 10 more times for the 8-3 Bees last fall. And when the stadium clock struck triple zeroes on that frosty Friday in Madison the feel-good story of 2014 had presumably come to a close.

Today Baschko’s football story is headed for chapter two. He was nominated by veteran BBHHS head coach Jason Black and will play for the West in the 43rd annual Cuyahoga County East-West Scholarship All-Star Football next Friday night (June 12) at Baldwin Wallaces’ Finnie Stadium. Kick off is at 7:00 p.m.

“Evan is very deserving of this honor of playing in the East-West All-Star Game. He has come a long way in such a short time,” Coach Black said. “He went from just trying football in July to becoming a second-team all-league selection for us by November.”

Chapter three of Baschko’s improbable career begins to take shape in August when he reports to football camp at John Carroll University. Sometimes it’s not where you start, but rather how you finish. In this case Baschko’s gridiron greatness may only be in its early stages.

“Evan’s leadership and personality will be missed tremendously. But congratulations to him on leaving a huge mark on our program. John Carroll is getting a steal,” Black said.

In addition to making the Southwestern Conference’s second team Baschko, along with classmate Mason Mackovjak, was named the Bees Most Improved Player for the 2014 campaign. Brecksville’s last in the SWC.

Baschko Broadens His Horizons

What a difference a year makes. When Baschko hung up his horn it was hard to imagine a young man who, despite his impressive size and stature, never played football becoming an all-star. This ‘come out of nowhere story’ is a tribute to him and his coaches. He had the desire and intelligence to learn the game quickly. And a coaching staff that realized they had a gem that just needed to be polished. Together they drew upon Baschko’s potential week in and week out.

June 12th will be a milestone of a 365-day journey from playing in the marching band to playing with a band of new brothers.

Baschko, as a defensive tackle, would end up with 3 sacks for a net total of 21 yards in losses in 2014. He also broke-up a pair of passes.

In addition, Baschko was this years recipient of the Jack Studley scholarship. This scholarship was established in memory of Jack Studley, a 1962 graduate of BBHHS. The recipient of this scholarship must participate in varsity football, be a good citizen and participate in other sports and community activities. Baschko also played baseball for the Bees.

 

ALL STAR GAME TIDBITS:

The game will be played Friday, June 12th at Tressel Field at Finnie Stadium on the B-W campus in Berea. Game time is 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $7.00 at the gate. Official souvenir game programs carry a $5.00 price tag.

The annual early summer classic started in 1972. The first game was played at Sparky DiBiasio Stadium in Euclid. The series between the East and West is just about even.

The game is staged by the Greater Cleveland Football Coaches Association (GCFCA) and is very well run. Jason Black is the 2nd Vice President. North Royalton’s Nick Ciulli is President of the organization, which began in 1956.

 

See You At The Bee Hive!

To contact: Ddipa67834@aol.com.

 – 30 –