Home >  Sports >  Penn State

Friday, September 20, 2002

By Ray Fittipaldo, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Matt Schmitt was about to give up his dream. He was sick and tired of being sick and tired, physically and emotionally drained from playing major-college football while fighting the effects of diabetes. This was two years ago, after Schmitt was replaced as Penn State's starting center seven games into the season.

	Matt Schmitt has improved his chances of remaining a starter. (John Beale, Post-Gazette)

"The most difficult thing was no matter how hard I worked, I always struggled during the season because my body didn't recover as quickly as the other guys," said Schmitt, a 6-foot-4, 305-pound offensive tackle from Hampton. "That was frustrating because I felt like I was in as good of shape as anyone else. I went through a rough time. I thought about [quitting] for a while. But I never wanted to look back and wonder what might have been."

Last season, Schmitt started the first two games of the season at tackle but lost his starting job for the rest of the season, struggling to recover from mononucleosis, in addition to his problems with diabetes.

So with one last opportunity to fulfill his goal of being a full-time starter, Schmitt developed a new game plan before his senior season. So far, the plan has worked.

Schmitt has been a steady performer for the Lions at right tackle through the first two games and looks to be entrenched as the starter.

"The difference is I'm attacking this year differently," he said. "I'm making sure I'm ready for games. I'm not killing myself in practice. I'm working more on the mental part of my game. I've been working with specialists, doing different workouts. We're changing how I'm eating before and after game. We're doing it differently this year."

Schmitt has also benefited from an insulin pump. The pump, which he got in May, helps regulate the blood-sugar levels in his body more consistently by giving him a steady dose of insulin throughout the day. The only time he has to give himself shots now is before games.

The pump, which is the size of a quarter, is attached to his stomach. He cannot wear the pump in practice or games.

"It has made my life easier, so I don't have to get insulin as often," he said. "It helps regulate my highs and lows. When I was on shots I was on a pretty rigorous schedule. The pump gives me more control. It helps me dictate my lifestyle."

Schmitt was diagnosed with diabetes in 1991, when he was 11. He said it took him three or four years to admit to himself that he had the pancreatic disorder, but he eventually learned to live with it. And then excel with it.

He played soccer and basketball in his childhood and was a three-sport athlete for one year at Hampton, playing football, basketball and competing at track and field. His activity level was great for a diabetic, but he still had episodes of diabetic shock.

After a football game his senior year at Hampton in 1997, while his parents were traveling to watch their other son, Chris, play for Carnegie Mellon in Rochester, N.Y., Matt was left home alone and went into shock. A timely phone call from his parents, who were checking on him, averted what could have been a life-threatening situation.

Realizing their son was out of sorts, they phoned family members and paramedics. Schmitt was given insulin and taken to a hospital, where he was kept for observation.

"They got there in time," said Thomas Schmitt, Matt's father. "I've had situations where I was watching him in summer basketball league games. He'd be running up and down the floor, and then he'd experience a low, and he'd be out of it at the other end of the floor. You're always going to have those concerns when you're a parent of a diabetic."

Schmitt said he hasn't had any major episodes of diabetic shock during his college years. He is surrounded by knowledgeable teammates who can tell him when he needs to regulate his blood-sugar level. Penn State punter David Royer, linebacker Scott Paxson and assistant coach Brian Norwood all have diabetes.

"It's like a little support group," Schmitt said.

Schmitt recommitted himself to football after last season. He earned a starting position coming out of spring for the third consecutive year, but there was something different this time. Coach Joe Paterno praised his improvement and boosted his confidence by taking him to Chicago for the Big Ten Kickoff Luncheon in July. Most teams send their superstar quarterbacks or running backs, but Paterno sent his starting offensive tackle and Outland Trophy candidate Jimmy Kennedy.

Early this season, Schmitt's place on the line became safer when Chris McKelvy was moved from backup tackle to guard. McKelvy replaced Schmitt for the final nine games last season.

"Matt is getting better all the time," Paterno said. "Thank goodness, they are doing some things with diabetes that are better now. If he can stay healthy and maintain his energy level, he will get better and end up being a good tackle."

Schmitt never let diabetes affect his schoolwork. A three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, he graduated in three years with a degree in management and is on schedule to earn a master's degree in business logistics next spring.

Ray Fittipaldo can be reached at rfittipaldo@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1230.