A lot of Generation X kids grew up wanting to be like Mike because of that catchy Gatorade commercial unless of course they went to the school of Chuck and learned that athletes aren’t role models.
Demetrius Colbert is a well-entrenched millennial and may not (probably not, who am I kidding) have seen either of those commercials. It doesn’t matter much because Colbert, a transfer linebacker at Central State University, wants to be just like his Dad.
William Colbert was an offensive lineman at Central State during the 1990s when the Marauders were the personification of their mascot. Robbing teams of their dignity, like a then Division III Lane College back in 1989 who stopped the game in the fourth quarter trailing 101-0.
“He told me how they use to beat people up, by like 100 points and how they use to win their games,” Colbert told us at the SIAC Media Day.
Back in Wilberforce
The son is now following in his father’s footsteps but it wasn’t a direct path. The three-star linebacker played high school ball in Cincinnati before beginning his college career at Ohio University and then transferring to Central State. Colbert participated in spring ball for the Marauders and will take the field for the first time in Wilberforce this fall.
“Transferred to us this year and has done an outstanding job, with his leadership and work habits in the offseason. He had a fantastic spring at middle linebacker and we’re looking for great things out of him this fall,” said Coach Cedric Pearl.
No matter the distance or direction of the path, both father and son are hoping the destination is the same. A championship season at Central State University.
“He really wants that tradition back, coming back to Central. Hopefully, we can bring that back this year and years on.”
I wouldn’t be so fast to predict a 100-point game this year but Central State could very well win a championship in the SIAC, predictions be damned. No one predicted Fort Valley State versus Kentucky State last year and that turned the whole conference upside down last season.
Central State opens the season on September 2nd at home versus Elizabeth City State.