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Western Michigan University fifth-year senior and 2005 Ionia High School graduate Tim Balice warms up last season before the Broncos’ game against the University of Nebraska. It was the first game he dressed for. Courtesy/GS Photo |
KALAMAZOO - About an hour and a half from the campus of Notre Dame, 2005 Ionia graduate Tim Balice is putting together a true-life fairy tale story like that of Daniel ‘Rudy' Ruettiger.
Although he is not donning the gold dome of the Fighting Irish football team, Balice will be sporting the golden helmet of the Western Michigan Broncos on Saturdays for a second and final season this fall.
During his five years at WMU, Balice has had to battle through trials and setbacks, and he has put in the time and hard work to keep himself on the Bronco roster.
“I have been released three times and only been to a couple of camps,” Balice said. “But after making it the first time, I knew I really wanted to be on the team.”
Along with being released multiple times, Balice also suffered an injury to his hand that cut his season short last fall.
Last season, after putting in two years of hard work as a walk-on for the scout team, Balice's hard work was recognized by Bronco head coach Bill Cubit.
Before the team traveled to Lincoln, Neb. for their season opener against the Cornhuskers of the University of Nebraska, Cubit told Balice that he would be traveling with the team. During that game, the punter and holder suffered an injury, and Balice got the call to hold on the field goal unit.
“At first I didn't realize that they wanted me to replace him, but then our special team's coordinator (Mike Sabock) told me to get in there,” Balice said. “I was focused so much on the field that It didn't hit me until I got back off the field.
“It was ridiculous. I can't express the feeling in words. It was just something to see 85,000 people in the stands all wearing red.”
Balice was the holder for the next six games before suffering his injury. He also got an opportunity to play on the kickoff team during the Broncos' game against Idaho.
Cubit also gave Balice with another pleasant surprise last year, when he told him that he needed to talk with his mother Maggie Balice.
“After the fourth game, coach asked me to get my phone because he wanted to talk to my mother,” Balice said. “I thought at first that I had done something wrong and was in trouble, but he told her that I had earned a scholarship.
I was on cloud 30, forget cloud nine. If I would have died then I would have still been a happy man.”
Balice said that even though he wasn't able to play in some of Western's biggest games last season, like the win at Ford Field against Illinois and the Texas Bowl in Houston against Rice University. The experience of being on the sidelines was great.
Heading into the 2009 season, Balice has earned a roster spot, so he can focus more on improving in his playing positions. He is also trying to earn a possible spot in the wide receiving core.
During his time on the team, Balice has also played with teammates that have earned national recognition, including senior quarterback Tim Hiller and Detroit Lions second round draft pick Louis Delmas.
“Louis is always willing to help both younger players and veterans as well,” Balice said. “Tim is a great leader on offense, and there are so many others who are great leaders on defense.”
The Broncos will begin preseason practice on Monday as they prepare for their season opener on Saturday, Sept. 5 at ‘The Big House' against Michigan. They will also take on two other Big Ten teams this season, traveling to Bloomington, Ind. on Sept. 12 to take on the Hoosiers of Indiana, and then East Lansing on Nov. 7 to take on Michigan State.
Western will also face Mid-American Conference West rival Central Michigan at Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo on Oct. 17.
“As a Michigan and Michigan State fan, I have always dreamed of playing in The Big House, and Spartan Stadium,” Balice said. “Then to get Central at home in my last season, I could not have asked for a better schedule.”
