Ask a grade school boy what he wants to be when he grows up. You will get a few firemen and a few police officers, but most will probably say they want to play professional sports. Not many get very far with that dream, but two football players from UB are taking the last step on the way to making it happen.
Chad Bartoszek and Andre Forde will be watching the NFL Draft this weekend, waiting to see if their name will come up. Both are likely to be taken in the late rounds if at all. If they are not drafted they will enter free agency.
"I am just truly blessed to be in this position," said Forde, a receiver/kick returner.
Forde is a senior Business Management major, stands 5'11", 208 lbs. He is from Penfield, N.Y., originally. Forde was a candidate for the All-Mac Team in 2001.
Forde has contributed at wide receiver and special teams for Buffalo over his four years. In the NFL he hopes to become a kick and punt return specialist. At UB, Forde returned 19 punts for a total of 161 yards in 2002, including an 83-yard punt return against LeHigh. His kickoff returns are even more impressive. He returned 30 kickoffs for a total of 626 yards in 2002.
His best games seem to be against the most formidable opponents. He returned five kickoffs for 122 yards against Minnesota, and four for 100 yards against Marshall. Forde also led the team in receiving for 2002, grabbing 54 balls for 748 yards total and seven touchdowns.
Forde was nicknamed "the Rev" by his teammates for his spiritual approach to football and life. He says that now he is focusing on preparing for the tougher NFL game physically, mentally and spiritually.
"Prayer, preparation and production. Those are my three P's," said Forde.
Chad Bartoszek has played tight end for the Bulls for four years. He is a 6'6", 250 lbs. senior history major from Salamanca, N.Y. He was captain of the UB team in 2002, Mackey Award Candidate for best tight end in the nation, and voted to the All-MAC second team offense in 2002.
"I have a good chance to be drafted in the sixth or seventh round," said Bartoszek. "If not I'll be signed right after."
Bartoszek played and started in all 12 games this season, a feat shared by only six other players at UB. He was second on the team in receiving, catching 45 passes for 350 yards. He was selected for and played in the Rotary Gridiron Classic All-Star Game. Bartoszek caught a 28-yard pass to set up the game-winning field goal and caught a touchdown from Wisoncsin quarterback Brooks Bollinger.
"I did well at the All-Stars, but the NFL is a whole new thing, first I just have to make the team," said Bartoszek.
If he is not drafted, Bartoszek may look to the Panthers, Steelers or Colts.
Across the Mid-American Conference, players are preparing for the draft. It is likely that 25 to 30 of them are in the same position as Forde and Bartoszek. Look for Heisman Candidate Byron Leftwich, quarterback from Marshall, to get picked up in the first round. ESPN's Mel Kiper, Jr. ranks him third overall.
"Playing in the MAC you get a lot of good competition," said Forde. "Maybe not as prolific as some of the other conferences, but there are definitely no walk through teams."
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
