University of North Texas Athletics
A New Man Steps Onto The Field This Season
8/6/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Editor's Note: This is the third of a three-part series chronicling the off-season change in the life of senior linebacker Tobe Nwigwe
By Steven Bartolotta
A New Look
Starting at the turn of the calendar year was when Nwigwe would be seen walking around the North Texas Athletic Center you could have almost mistaken him for a model at Dillards or JC Penney’s. Skull caps and baggy pants were out. Button down shirts and sweater vests are in. How could it be that the man in the middle of the North Texas linebacking corp now wears penny loafers?
Simple, Tobe Nwigwe arrived in Denton an immature young man who thought he could do anything, anywhere, anytime. He will leave in December of 2009 with a degree in Merchandising and a man who you would want to bring home to the parents.
The transformation in Nwigwe is a mindset he wants not only people to take notice of off the field, but also on it.
Nwigwe’s attitude in meetings, workouts, and more importantly, on the field, also needed a makeover.
“When I came back to North Texas two years ago, Tobe was belligerent,” said defensive coordinator Gary DeLoach. “He was still running with the wrong people, and thought he had all of the answers. Now he’s totally bought into everything we are saying and starting to do things the right way.”
Part of his offseason transformation has included a physical change. Nwigwe played last season at 251 pounds, but felt that he needed to be leaner and faster to be at his best. In addition to the scheduled workouts with the team during the spring and summer, Nwigwe has been working on his own to get his body in maximum condition for the start of fall practice. He is now a graceful 238 pounds and in the best physical condition of his life.
Starting in January with the workouts, Nwigwe was the one who made sure his weight lifting group never missed a workout at 6 a.m. Nwigwe was the one who, after his workout was done, didn’t go home, stayed through everyone of his teammates workout to encourage and support them. Nwigwe was the one who made sure everyone was at team runs and afterwards cleaning the locker room and weight room to the point where one might even think about eating off the floor.
All of the changes are part of a deliberate effort to help Nwigwe realize his dream. He is already one of the best linebackers in the Sun Belt Conference, but he doesn’t want it to stop there. His dream is to play in the NFL. He has seen that same dream become a reality for some of his high school friends, including Mike Bennett, Tony Hills and Mike Tauiliili.
“Mike (Tauiliili) and I have been friends since we were in sixth grade and he understands me. We talked nearly every day during the season and he helped me get through the hard times. He understood what I was going through because he had been through a similar situation himself. I owe a lot to him for showing me that you can overcome adversity and still achieve your dreams.”
Tobe has also seen that dream become a reality for former North Texas linebackers Brad Kassell and Cody Spencer. He knows it won’t be easy, but he now has a better understanding of the path that he must take.
“He is now doing all the things you want a leader to do,” said DeLoach. “He’s put in the work and been a vocal leader, which he hasn’t done in the past. For Tobe to be up there with Cody (Spencer) and Brad (Kassell) he has to go make plays on the field. That’s what Cody and Brad did and that’s what he has to do to be a dominate player.”
His new attitude has made him into the type of team leader that Dodge says was missing over the past two seasons.
“He just took the ball and ran with it,” said Dodge. “Tobe has fostered a feeling of care with his teammates and you can really see the qualities that he has developed as a leader.”
But Nwigwe still has unfinished business at North Texas. He’s not concerned about a legacy, his is set on one thing and one thing only.
“I want to leave this place as a winner. I want to be one of the people that helped turn it around. I’ve been losing for a long time at this place and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to win. If it means getting into a teammates face, then that’s what’s going to be done” he said. “I had to change my mind frame. There is nothing in my head that says losing anymore.”
He knows there are doubters out there who have plenty of ammunition to use against him and his team, but Nwigwe has taken the mantle of unquestioned leader of the North Texas squad.
When asked the question “What will people say about Tobe Nwigwe and his time at North Texas in 10 years from now?” a smile bigger than his imposing frame surfaces.
“They are going to say he talked a lot, but in the end he backed it all up. He was definitely a winner, he did what it takes to win. He didn’t accept losing.” Nwigwe smoothly said.
He does his share of talking, but the young man who arrived in Denton with a future as bright as a moonless night, is now a leader. A man who came to town with a lot of talk and little action, will leave doing the same amount of talking, but his actions will speak even louder.
Nwigwe has never been afraid of his past, because without it, he would never have had this bright of a future.
