WISNEWSKI'S THOUGHTS NEVER DRIFT FAR FROM HIS BROTHER

Publication: CHARLESTON DAILY MAIL
Published: 08/14/2001
Page: P1B
Headline: WISNEWSKI'S THOUGHTS NEVER DRIFT FAR FROM HIS BROTHER
Byline: ANDY SPRADLING

HUNTINGTON - Though we'd never met before, I felt an immediate kinship
with Marshall University football player Jesse Wisnewski.

A Cross Lanes native, Wisnewski helped the Nitro Wildcats to the 1998
Class AAA state title along with J.R. House and Thundering Herd
teammate Chris Martin.

The 6-foot-2, 225-pounder originally went to Glenville State College,
where he excelled at linebacker his first season.

"I started all 11 games as a true freshman," he said. "I was defensive
captain a couple of games. It was a good experience.

"My coach at the time (Rick Trickett, now at West Virginia University)
left to go to Louisiana State University. I didn't want to stay. I'd
come there to play for him."

So Wisnewski transferred to Marshall last summer.

I've been the Daily Mail's Marshall beat writer since 1996. But this
bond I have with Wisnewski has nothing to do with athletics. It's more
of a thought process, a spot in the mind that holds those reccurring
daily thoughts. That little shock spot in the loop that won't let you
forget ... or keeps you remembering.

I know that when Wisnewski suits up today, when he's pulling on his
shoulder pads and his teammates are joking around him, he won't just
be thinking about linebacker reads or special teams coverage.

He'll be thinking about his brother, Judd Wisnewski, who was killed in
a car accident on this day last August. He would have been 22.

"We lost him on the 14th and I had to come up here and report on the
18th," Wisnewski said. "That was a big adjustment there. Losing
somebody so close."

Like Wisnewski, I lost my only sibling, Kelly Simmons, 39, on Aug. 6
of last year, to breast cancer. She was a wife and mother of two.

So I understand where Wisnewski is when he drifts off into thought, or
when reality pops into those everyday motions like a sledge hammer to
the soul.

"I think about him every day," Wisnewski said. "I keep him in my mind
as a little inspiration and motivation. We were close. He always
encouraged me in everything I did.

"We were different like night and day in the things we did. But he'd
come and watch my games."

Wisnewski sat out last season as a transfer, but he still made his
presence felt in MU's camp. He was selected as the Herd's J.D. Coffman
Award winner, given to the scout team player of the year.

"I got my redshirt year, got to learn the system, lifted weights, got
in better condition and physically stronger," Wisnewski said.

"Now I'm getting more comfortable with it. It took a while to get
adjusted to the speed of the game from (NCAA) Division II to Division
I. I'm more comfortable with the surroundings."

Wisnewski works hard in hopes of one day reaching the field for the
Herd. The "when" is not up to him.

"I can't call that, it's up to the coaches," Wisnewski said. "I just
come out and try to play hard every down. That's the best I can do.

"I hope I can open some more eyes, move up the depth chart and try to
get some playing time, special teams, whatever it may be. That's my
main goal."