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Dunbar signs with Dean Junior College |
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Thursday, 10 April 2008 |
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By BRENDAN MCGAIR Sports writer PAWTUCKET – Publicly, Stanley Dunbar stood in line like everyone else to offer congratulations to his good buddy Jordan Monk when word came down Monk was invited to walk on with the N.C. State football team in the hope of possibly earning a scholarship.
Privately though, Dunbar had to wonder when (if?) he would ever receive the acclaim and pub Monk did. Or was the ankle injury that Dunbar sustained last Thanksgiving Eve – an ailment that forced St. Raphael’s duel threat of quarterback/running back to the sidelines while the school capped off a perfect season – raise enough red flags that college coaches simply shied away.
On Tuesday, Dunbar received the soft landing he’s been waiting oh-so patiently for. The senior inked a letter-of-intent to play for ex-SRA grid coach Todd Vasey and Dean Junior College located in nearby Franklin, Mass.
“I just want to follow in Jordan’s footsteps because he’s something I can look at for motivation. He’s a role model for me,” said Dunbar moments after putting ink to paper inside the video room of SRA’s Wellness Center. “I’m going to push myself like [Monk] did and hopefully go Division I.”
Remarking last month was the first time he felt like his old self, Dunbar always kept Dean on his radar ever since the first time Vasey saw SRA’s Mr. Everything in person, which occurred two Thanksgivings ago.
Dunbar, however, admitted he was aiming much higher. When no D-I schools approached him or St. Raphael head coach Mike Sassi, the game plan changed. “I wanted to go [D-I] originally, but that didn’t happen,” said Dunbar. “I’m going to go to Dean, hopefully play good there, get my grades up and go D-I after that.”
“Overall I don’t think the injury was a major factor,” said Sassi. “Of course I can’t speak for other schools. “but I think some people hold his height (Dunbar is listed at 5-foot-9, 175 pounds) against him,” Sassi continued. “They look at a stat on a piece of paper before they have a chance to see him.”
It was Dunbar who led the Saints to a 9-0 record through the first three months of the season as he scored 19 touchdowns and rushed for close to 1,500 yards. Among the accolades to come his way include first team all-state (as a quarterback) and the recognition from the Providence Gridiron Club as the state’s top runner.
As much as it pained Dunbar to miss out on the Saints’ postseason glory, Sassi said he came to know a different side of his star Saint.
“Being a competitor, Stanley sitting out the Super Bowl just ate at him,” said Sassi. “but I’ve never seen a kid at his age handle it so well. He was like an extra coach [the day SRA completed perfection against Bishop Hendricken High]. He wasn’t pouting that he wasn’t part of the game that day; he did a great job handling everything.”
While he waited for his phone to ring, Dunbar was busy restoring strength at University Orthopedics in Providence. Rest, not surgery, was deemed the appropriate course of action. “I had to do a couple of stretches and exercises on it,” said Dunbar.
“He looks very strong,” said Sassi, who noted Dunbar has been a regular visitor to the weight room.
Currently Dunbar is participating in outdoor track and anchoring the relay team with Monk.
Vasey, who was succeeded by Sassi, projects his newest recruit as a cornerback, a spot Dunbar shouldn’t have any trouble adapting to. Few might realize this, but Dunbar lined up primarily in the secondary his sophomore and junior seasons with SRA.
“He’s not just a cover guy,” was the scouting report Sassi offered. “He likes contact.”
Listing Denver cornerback Champ Bailey as his favorite athlete, Dunbar will likely slide into a starting role for a Dean program that finished the season ranked 11th in the nation amongst junior colleges.
Vasey believes the path Dunbar is heading down will eventually yield prosperous results.
“Not only will Stanley be playing for us for two years, but we will be helping him make a transition to the next level,” said Vasey. “I’ll be shocked if he’s not at least an I-AA player, maybe a Division I player.”
“He knows this is his best avenue,” said Sassi.
In the end, all Dunbar yearned for was a chance to play college football.
“I’ve been trying to sign for a while, but I’m glad it’s finally over,” said Dunbar.
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 12 April 2008 )
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