UNION CITY – Mississinawa Valley senior Dalton Geesy committed to join the Baldwin Wallace University football team on Thursday.
Geesy, the son of Stephanie Sigler and Don Geesy, said he’s glad to see all his hard work pay off as he achieves his goal of playing collegiate football.
“I think it’s a great opportunity,” he said. “I’ve always worked hard for it, and I’ve always wanted to play college ball. And since I finally get the chance to play, I’m going to take that chance.”
In Baldwin Wallace, Geesy is joining one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division III, which is very exciting, he said.
In the past 51 years the Yellow Jackets have had 47 winning seasons, two .500 seasons and just two seasons with losing records. In 1978 former coach Lee Tressel led Baldwin Wallace to the NCAA Division III national title.
Having Geesy go on to the college level is great for him and great for the Mississinawa Valley football program, Blackhawk coach Pat Baker said.
“I think that’s a sign of a successful program, you’re moving kids on to the next level,” Baker said. “Real proud of Dalton, one, for getting the opportunity, and two, for our program.”
By playing college football, Geesy is showing the Blackhawks’ younger players that they too have an opportunity to advance their athletic careers, Baker said.
“I think it’s good for our underclassmen,” Baker said. “Hey, we’ve got a kid going on to college. That can be me. I’ve already had a couple kids ask me, what do I need to do to go on to college? Obviously taking care of academics. But just seeing Dalton’s work ethic and having him move on is a good role model for our program.”
Baker, a former college football coach, said Geesy’s work ethic is what allowed him to achieve his goal of playing at the college level.
“His work ethic is one of the best I’ve ever been around at any college or high school level,” the Mississinawa Valley coach said. “He’s absolutely one of the best work ethics I’ve ever been around. Really a leader in our program. I think one of the things kids miss when they go on to college is you’ve got to work. Every kid on the team was the best kid on their team in high school, even Division III. Dalton’s work ethic sets him apart that way. He’s going to be able to succeed at that level because he can work.”
During his college career Geesy wants to make sure he gets on the field and hopes to start his sophomore year.
“I think I’m ready for it, but it will take a year to get used to,” he said.
Baldwin Wallace envisions Geesy as a defensive lineman, although the Yellow Jackets are open to moving him around.
“If I don’t fit there, they’ll put me where I need to be,” Geesy said.
As a high school senior Geesy recorded 56 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and three sacks from his defensive end position. He started every game at left tackle on offense and on special teams blocked four punts, blocked three extra points and recovered a fumble on his way to earning special mention all-Ohio honors.
“I think he really has a bright future as a defensive lineman,” Baker said. “He’s got the frame with being that he’s 6-3, 240 (pounds). He’s kind of in a good spot with his size because he can play size-wise offensive or defensive line, whichever one he fits best at. And I really appreciate their staff being upfront about that. Hey, we’re going to try you here first and if not we’ll fit you as needed.”
Baldwin Wallace started recruiting Geesy at the end of his senior season and was persistent in its pursuit of him.
“They were one of the first ones in on him, and they stayed on him pretty hard,” Baker said. “I contacted a lot of schools on Dalton’s behalf, and they’re the ones that really took a chance on him.”
In college Geesy plans to study sports medicine and pre-physical therapy. Baldwin Wallace will provide him will good opportunities, he said, and prepare him to possibly open his own fitness center in the future.
“The campus is big,” Geesy said of Baldwin Wallace. “It’s around a lot of sports teams there, and with what I’m going into I can intern for one of those sports teams and get more experience in going into the workforce.”
