Spring Break
Male athletes turn down collegiate careers to cheer at UConn
Dylan DeSimone
Issue date: 2/24/09 Section: Sports
They're the ones who get you riled up at the games. They're the ones that feed that UConn blue energy to the crowd. They're the ones standing right on the sideline when Donald Brown breaks loose. They also have an outstanding work ethic and rigorous gym routine. The men of UConn Cheer have brought a sense of life to the crowd and support to every player who puts on a blue and white jersey.
Over the years, the faces have changed, but the spirit has remained the same. For the past two years, senior Anthony Parrish has become one of the more recognizable faces of the squad. Parrish began a strict diet and disciplined exercise routine his sophomore year of high school and has had little downtime since
At Fairfield High School, he was an All-State wrestler two consecutive years and the state open champ in 2005 in the 189-pound weight class. Parrish wrestled and played football all four years of high school.
"In high school, I was a two-time FCIAC Champ, LL State Champ and the State Open Champ in 2005," he said. "I was also a three time academic all state for wrestling."
Unfortunately, UConn does not offer a wrestling program.
However, Parrish is the perfect physical specimen for a college level linebacker; truly built for the sport. The indisputable evidence lies amongst the mirrored qualities he shares with accomplished professionals today. NFL draftee and 2008 Defensive Rookie of the Year, New England Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo possesses a workout résumé that is not far from that of UConn's own. At 6-foot-1, 242 pounds, Mayo posted an impressive 4.54 40-yard dash during the NFL combine. He also recorded 22 repetitions of 225 pounds on the bench press.
Parrish meets the performance expectations that an NFL scout would be looking for. Parrish submitted a 4.5 40-yard-dash and 23 repetitions of 225 pounds. So, with Parrish holding a candle to Mayo, the question remains why he did not suit up alongside defensive standouts Scott Lutrus and Greg Lloyd II.
Over the years, the faces have changed, but the spirit has remained the same. For the past two years, senior Anthony Parrish has become one of the more recognizable faces of the squad. Parrish began a strict diet and disciplined exercise routine his sophomore year of high school and has had little downtime since
At Fairfield High School, he was an All-State wrestler two consecutive years and the state open champ in 2005 in the 189-pound weight class. Parrish wrestled and played football all four years of high school.
"In high school, I was a two-time FCIAC Champ, LL State Champ and the State Open Champ in 2005," he said. "I was also a three time academic all state for wrestling."
Unfortunately, UConn does not offer a wrestling program.
However, Parrish is the perfect physical specimen for a college level linebacker; truly built for the sport. The indisputable evidence lies amongst the mirrored qualities he shares with accomplished professionals today. NFL draftee and 2008 Defensive Rookie of the Year, New England Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo possesses a workout résumé that is not far from that of UConn's own. At 6-foot-1, 242 pounds, Mayo posted an impressive 4.54 40-yard dash during the NFL combine. He also recorded 22 repetitions of 225 pounds on the bench press.
Parrish meets the performance expectations that an NFL scout would be looking for. Parrish submitted a 4.5 40-yard-dash and 23 repetitions of 225 pounds. So, with Parrish holding a candle to Mayo, the question remains why he did not suit up alongside defensive standouts Scott Lutrus and Greg Lloyd II.
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Channah Kirshner
posted 2/25/09 @ 4:25 AM EST
I think this article is absolutely fabulous - I am Anthony's grandmother and I live in Israel - I was back in December for a basketball game and to see him cheer for the first time at UCONN. (Continued…)
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