Getting their wings

One of the perks playing in the Division II semifinals is the trip comes with a plane ride, it’ll be a new experience to many Kutztown players

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News 

There’s a lot about playing in the Division II national semifinals that is new to a lot of the players on the Kutztown football team, not the least of which is the way to get there.

Life in Division II athletics doesn’t usually come with flying around the country, but the Golden Bears are leaving on a jet plane Thursday for their biggest game in program history at top-seeded Colorado School of Mines.

It’s not another long ride on a bus. This time it’s a flight halfway across the country – and there’s a big group of players who have never flown before.

“That’s what I’m really looking forward to about this game, other than winning, which is No. 1,” Tyreek Husser, a senior tight end from Woodstown, said. “That’s been something we’ve been talking about all week. There’s a decent amount of guys who haven’t flown in a plane before, so I’m glad I’m not the only one and I can share that experience with some of the other guys. 

“Once we found out we were flying we’ve all been talking about it, trying to find little tips and tricks to get through it. I’m a little nervous, but I feel once you get up in the sky the nerves will go away. It’ll be more nerves for the game.” 

Justin Harris, a defensive back from Salem and the longest tenured of the four Salem County players on the team, is an experienced flyer and has advice to comfort the first-timers.

“I’d tell them to make sure you’re in a comfortable fit, you don’t want to be uncomfortable in an already uncomfortable situation,” he said. “Get some headphones, listen to your favorite music. Get a neck pillow, for sure, and just rock out with your music. The flight isn’t too long, maybe like four hours. We’re used to those six-hour bus rides.”

The Bears better get used to it. If they beat the Orediggers Saturday, there’s another plane ride in their future – to the national championship game in Texas.

Coming up: Kutztown veterans Harris and Husser have come through a lot to reach this weekend’s opportunity