Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Sargent continues work with heroes watching
8/18/2018 9:00:00 AM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Playing sports is a great way for student-athletes to take their minds off what's happening in life.
For Middle Tennessee long snapper Daniel Sargent, it's not only a way for him to escape, but also a way to stay close to his heroes.
Sargent's dad, Christopher, and brother, Thomas, are currently on deployment in the military, Thomas in Afghanistan and Christopher at an undisclosed location (Sargent isn't allowed to discuss).
Neither will be back stateside until after the Blue Raider season is over. But, don't think that will stop Christopher from watching his son play.
He's never missed one of Sargent's games, going back to when the redshirt junior was playing football and baseball at Portland High School in Portland, Tennessee.
Thanks to some military technology – what Sargent described as a hockey-puck-shaped hotspot – Christopher will be able to stream every MT game, allowing him to get glimpses of his son on Saturdays.
"Unfortunately for him, the time change could make it like 4 a.m. when he gets to watch, but he still won't miss a game," Sargent said.
Sargent excelled as a first-time starting long snapper for the Blue Raiders in 2017.
He started the year off by winning the Grinder Award for specialists in spring drills, an award meant to measure how intense a player works in drills and in the weight room.
The award came from a lot of hard work, something Sargent learned from his father and brother and has displayed unwaveringly in his college career, often working two jobs on top of school work and football.
"They're where I've gotten a lot of the mindset I have – never give up, continue to chase what you want, continue to put in the work, always be respectful, always be thankful and never take no for an answer," he said.
After earning the Grinder Award, he turned in a solid summer and fall camp and won the starting nod heading into the season opener.
He ended up starting all 13 games, helping kicker Canon Rooker turn in one of the best seasons for a placekicker in program history.
With a solid year added to his résumé, Sargent was offered a special preseason gift midway through this year's camp: a scholarship.
"The first thing I wanted to do was tell my dad," he said. "He knows more than anyone how much this means to me and how much I've worked for it."
While he's taken the walk-on label off, Sargent knows he still has plenty to work on before camp ends and the team travels to Vanderbilt for the season opener. He also has plenty of competition for his spot.
"Last year was his first year snapping, and he did a good job for us," head coach Rick Stockstill said. "But, he's getting pushed by Russ Hiett for that spot right now. We have good competition right there to see who'll be our starting long snapper."
No matter if he's a walk-on or scholarship player, Sargent's work ethic won't change. He knows he's worked too hard to achieve his goals, and he also knows his heroes will be watching.
"It's no different than going into any other season," he said. "I've always been thankful for the opportunity to play here … it's no different now.
"I just want to make my dad and my brother proud – they're my motivation."
Josh Vardaman is the staff writer for goblueraiders.com. Follow him on Twitter @J_Vardaman and also follow @MTAthletics for more on the Blue Raiders.
For Middle Tennessee long snapper Daniel Sargent, it's not only a way for him to escape, but also a way to stay close to his heroes.
Sargent's dad, Christopher, and brother, Thomas, are currently on deployment in the military, Thomas in Afghanistan and Christopher at an undisclosed location (Sargent isn't allowed to discuss).
Neither will be back stateside until after the Blue Raider season is over. But, don't think that will stop Christopher from watching his son play.
He's never missed one of Sargent's games, going back to when the redshirt junior was playing football and baseball at Portland High School in Portland, Tennessee.
Thanks to some military technology – what Sargent described as a hockey-puck-shaped hotspot – Christopher will be able to stream every MT game, allowing him to get glimpses of his son on Saturdays.
"Unfortunately for him, the time change could make it like 4 a.m. when he gets to watch, but he still won't miss a game," Sargent said.
Sargent excelled as a first-time starting long snapper for the Blue Raiders in 2017.
He started the year off by winning the Grinder Award for specialists in spring drills, an award meant to measure how intense a player works in drills and in the weight room.
The award came from a lot of hard work, something Sargent learned from his father and brother and has displayed unwaveringly in his college career, often working two jobs on top of school work and football.
"They're where I've gotten a lot of the mindset I have – never give up, continue to chase what you want, continue to put in the work, always be respectful, always be thankful and never take no for an answer," he said.
After earning the Grinder Award, he turned in a solid summer and fall camp and won the starting nod heading into the season opener.
He ended up starting all 13 games, helping kicker Canon Rooker turn in one of the best seasons for a placekicker in program history.
With a solid year added to his résumé, Sargent was offered a special preseason gift midway through this year's camp: a scholarship.
"The first thing I wanted to do was tell my dad," he said. "He knows more than anyone how much this means to me and how much I've worked for it."
While he's taken the walk-on label off, Sargent knows he still has plenty to work on before camp ends and the team travels to Vanderbilt for the season opener. He also has plenty of competition for his spot.
"Last year was his first year snapping, and he did a good job for us," head coach Rick Stockstill said. "But, he's getting pushed by Russ Hiett for that spot right now. We have good competition right there to see who'll be our starting long snapper."
No matter if he's a walk-on or scholarship player, Sargent's work ethic won't change. He knows he's worked too hard to achieve his goals, and he also knows his heroes will be watching.
"It's no different than going into any other season," he said. "I've always been thankful for the opportunity to play here … it's no different now.
"I just want to make my dad and my brother proud – they're my motivation."
Josh Vardaman is the staff writer for goblueraiders.com. Follow him on Twitter @J_Vardaman and also follow @MTAthletics for more on the Blue Raiders.
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