Stetzer takes leave to lead Express at QB

[Gene]

Stetzer takes leave to lead Express at QB

Tom Stetzer is allowed to play for Reading, thanks to the cooperation of his company, an engineering firm located in Wisconsin.

By Brian Rippey
Reading Eagle
6/6/2007

Berks County, PA - Tom Stetzer stood tall amidst the pressure and connected with his intended target.

That scene has played out hundreds of times during the two seasons Stetzer has been the starting quarterback for the Reading Express.

But on several other occasions this spring, the 6-3 Stetzer has been reaching children in the Reading School District as a substitute teacher.

Instead of throwing passes, he tosses out answers to the questions students often ask their teachers.



"It's been a pretty cool experience going to the schools and helping out wherever I can," said Stetzer, a civil engineer. "There's a lot of good kids. I have a lot of respect for teachers in general. They've got a tough job."

Stetzer found out just how difficult while filling in about three days a week. He was a substitute for students in grades 1-12 throughout Reading.

"It's been a great daytime job while I'm out here," Stetzer said.

Now that school's out, Stetzer will turn his attention to the Express' pursuit of the American Indoor Football League championship.

The Express (14-2) opens the playoffs Saturday at 7 p.m., in the Sovereign Center against the Pittsburgh RiverRats (7-7) in the Northern Conference semifinals.

Last season Stetzer guided the Express into the Northern Conference championship game, one win short of the league title game.

During a season in which he threw for 70 touchdowns, Stetzer captured the fancy of his boss at Strand Associates, Inc., Madison, Wis.

Stetzer, who earned his engineering degree while passing for nearly 10,000 yards at Division III Wisconsin-Platteville, was granted a leave of absence last spring to play for the Express in its inaugural season.

After the Express lost to the Canton Legends in last year's conference title game, Stetzer wasn't sure if he'd return to Reading or even play again.

He found out the answer the first day he went back to work and talked to the company's chief operating officer.

"The first question he asked me was 'Are you going back again?' " Stetzer said. "Right then and there I knew what a great company I was working for and the possibility was there that I could come back.

"I just have an amazing bunch of co-workers and boss back there who have allowed me to come out here and do this for the spring and follow my dream. I'm pretty lucky, and I'm very thankful for them to allow me to do that."

The Express also is thankful to have the 25-year-old Stetzer, who again has thrown for 70 touchdowns while leading Reading to its second straight regular season conference title.

Stetzer and his teammates hope to take it one step further this year and play in the AIFA championship game Saturday, June 23, in Florence, S.C.

No doubt his boss, and former students, will be watching to see if Stetzer can pass the test.

"We're right where we need to be, right where we wanted to be coming in," Stetzer said. "We came into this season hungry to be down in Florence at the end of the year."

•Contact Brian Rippey at 610-371-5070 or [e-mail].

[Gene]

Way to go Tom. In a few weeks you'll also have AIFA Champion to add to your list of accomplishments.........

[Gridiron Battle Sports]

That's a good story. He is lucky. There are many players that have to choose between working or playing football. He gets to do both. Seems like he has a nice boss who understands that Stetzer has dreams and he's letting him pursue his dreams.

[exit322]

It will be fun to see Stoetzer win the AIFA title in front of hundreds of fans...though most of them there won't really care who wins...

[farscape]

Substitute teaching short term like that dosn't pay that well, but I am sure the income is appreciated, good to hear he has some income coming in other than the players salary which is less than three days a week sub teaching I.E. my daughter substituted last spring. It is amazing the boos you hear and Verbal harasments given out to opposing players coming into an arena in Reading. They are all in the same boat when it comes to supporting themselves. I appreciate the sacrifice these players are making to try and get to the next level. We benifit from their desire with the entertainment of the game. And not a game for the salary but for the desire and love of playing. Realising what it takes on their part does not allow me to boo the opposing players. I try to thank them and wish them a good game , but not too good.

[expresszac]

I have season tickets behind the opposing teams bench and that is part of the game I go back and forth with the players but we both keep it respectfully and I always congradulate them on a great game. I have met alot of cool players these past 2 years from the teams coming to the Soverign Center.

[farscape]

Your right Zac it is part of the game and the players seem to really realize that and encourage it. I was at the Baltimore Gulf coast game and remember when Gulf was introduced the meager attandence was placid and a Gulf player was actually trying to get the fans to Boo buy yelling at them "C'mon give it up for your team" I guess it is expected as part of the game.