Education Over Athletics is key for Crist
by Luke Paul Chandler
Dayne Crist is more than just an elite quarterback prospect. Nick Ironside examines what matters most to the Notre Dame recruit. (Photo Jose Luis / MarinMedia.org)
By Nick Ironside
Quarterback Dayne Crist is the ideal recruit for the University of Notre Dame. At 6-foot-5 and 228 pounds, he has good size and is athletic. Ironically enough, he’s already been a member of the Irish for some time playing for Notre Dame High School in California.
Most important, to Crist at least, is faith and excellence in the classroom.
“God, Family, School, Football. Without God I feel that nothing is possible, so it’s a given as to why God is first in my life. Then my family are the ones who have been with me my whole life, and raised me into the guy I am today,” Crist said. “I owe so much to my family, and could never thank them enough for the sacrifices they’ve made for me.”
Family is an important part of anyone’s life, and Crist gives full credit to his.
“My parents are entirely response for the person I am today,” he said. “From an early age, my parents instilled in me great core values and taught me how to treat others, and the value of hard work. I am incredibly thankful for that.”
Crist mentioned school in his priorities, and his 3.6 GPA shows the amount of work he puts in toward his academic life.
“Academics are huge for me, and played a factor in my college decision,” Crist said. “There is life after football, so … a great education will allow you to do great things in the real world and give you a great forum to be successful in life.”
Crist looks forward to continuing his classroom dedication at the collegiate level. Academics, he said, take precedence over athletics.
“College is a time to get your degree - hands down,” said Crist. “If I’m lucky enough to further my football career and reach my dream of playing in the NFL then that is just an added plus.”
Teammate Thaddeus Brown, noted Crist’s success in academics.
“I took Algebra II with him last year; he always scored in the 90th percentiles on his test. He also caught on very easily to the lessons,” Brown said. “Being given time to start out homework, Dayne always took advantage of that time and start his homework, in which most cases he finished before the class was over.”
Teammates and friends will always notice your personality. Crist’s personality is something Brown notices.
“Dayne, to me, has the best personality,” Brown said. “For example, being as talented as he is, he never lets that get to his head. He treats any and everyone the same, which is with respect. On and off the field Dayne is a leader, and what I mean by that is he is always there whenever you need him; he’s respectful, polite, and energetic.”
In the interview with Crist, the future Irish quarterback seemed to agree.
“I just want to have other people’s respect because I am an extremely respectful person and give it fully,” he said. “After meeting someone, I just want them to realize that I am a very laid back person, and that I am very down to Earth.”
Crist, who was captain his freshman and senior years of football, says the perfect leader is one who leads by example.
“The perfect leader makes those around him better, and is team oriented above all else,” Crist said.
According to Brown, Crist seems to fit that mold.
“Dayne is a very motivational, laid back leader,” Brown said. “He’s not into screaming or yelling at one guy or the team. He lets you know what needs to be known as calmly as he can,” Brown stated.
Along with being a leader, Brown sees Crist as a future captain; not at Notre Dame High School but under head coach Charlie Weis.
“I can definitely see Dayne being a captain one day, as the coaches and players at Notre Dame will see how much of a leader Dayne is.”
Athletes who are prominent at such a young age, such as football players like Crist, can sometimes let the media pressure and fans get to their heads. Crist however, is different. Handling the hype is one of his specialties.
“The media and fan recruiting hype off the field gets pretty crazy at times, by in the same token it is extremely flattering and is a part of the whole recruiting process,” he said. “I just try to be as polite and cordial with everyone I come into contact with, and have to remember that people are always watching - even kids, so I need to be a positive role model for them to look up to. However, I haven’t let if affect me on the field. I just play my game at all times.”
Crist, who will eventually be training at Notre Dame, believes he knows how a Notre Dame quarterback should act.
“I have just tried to prepare myself off the field for being the Notre Dame quarterback by trying to unify those in our recruiting class, and start to build chemistry with those guys as I believe a quarterback should do,” Crist said. “I feel the most important aspect for a quarterback at Notre Dame is to be a leader for teammates, coaches, students and fans alike.”