Indiana University Athletics
Beattie Ready to Kick Off 2005 Campaign
7/19/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
July 19, 2005
The transition from high school graduate to college freshman can be a daunting task. Not only does it mark the first time that you are away from home, but it forces you to be more accountable in all facets of your life - academics, athletics and social life. Now, combine these elements with the fact that college is a 20-plus-hour plane ride from your hometown of Attadale, Australia, and you can well relate to Indiana junior punter Tyson Beattie's perspective in 2002.
"If you had asked me three years ago, I might have had more to say," Beattie replied when asked about the most difficult element of his transition. "When you come from another country, the people with whom you surround yourself quickly become your family away from your family. I have been fortunate to be around some quality people on the team, among the coaching staffs and around campus."
IU football fans have been just as receptive to the punter from down under. In addition to a 41.0 yard career punting average that is fourth in school history, not one of Beattie's 133 career kicks has been blocked. The 6-2, 206-pounder has had 35 of his 133 boots land inside the opponents' 20-yard line, and he also had a career-high 32-yard run on a fake punt against Michigan last season.
Despite this success, Beattie refuses to rest on his laurels. Beattie has worked all summer with IU strength and conditioning coach Mark Wateska, and Hoosier fans will see the results this fall.
"We have been lifting, running and kicking all summer," Beattie said. "I have been working on a lot of lower body leg work, trying to get more explosion and power into my game."
While Beattie works on the art of punting with IU head coach Terry Hoeppner, the former Christian Brothers High School all-district cricket selection has another valuable coaching consultant - long-time girlfriend and former IU All-American golfer Karen Dennison.
"I can't thank Karen enough for all of her support," Beattie said. "She also relates to the ups and downs of being a student-athlete. One of the reasons we connect so well is that golf and punting are really similar. In both cases, you have to rely on a special technique, but you also have to stay mentally focused and concentrate."
While Beattie and Dennison support each other throughout their respective seasons (Dennison is currently playing in the Futures Tour), do they each dabble in the other's area of expertise?
"She has tried to teach me about golf, but it's always hard for a master (like Dennison) to teach a novice (like Beattie)," Beattie said. "That is why some of the best coaches were overachieving players. They understand what it takes to relate to players and help them get better."
This is why Beattie feels like first-year coach Terry Hoeppner is the right man to head the Hoosier program.
"Coach Hoeppner is a real positive kind of guy. That gives you confidence," Beattie said.
The Hoosiers are certainly poised for the 2005 season. Last season, Indiana defeated two ranked opponents (No. 24 Oregon and No. 23 Minnesota) for the first time since 1987, and Beattie feels that his team will build upon that momentum this fall.
"That Oregon game was amazing. It was great that we were able to hold onto a win at their place," Beattie said. While the Oregon and Minnesota games highlighted the team's performance, Beattie points to the Michigan game as one of his individual highlights. Of course, these highlights span both ends of the spectrum.
"I was really pumped up about the fake punt against Michigan, because that was just a really well-executed play," Beattie said. "But the play that was shown over and over on ESPN's SportsCenter that night was when we punted to Michigan early in the game. (All-American wide receiver and current Cleveland Brown) Braylon Edwards was sent in on punt coverage, and it was a good kick that kept their returner (Leon Hall) in pretty good containment. However, just as I am in the right position to make a play, Edwards laid me out."
Many more collisions like that have Beattie eyeing a post-football career in broadcasting.
"I have always had an interest in broadcasting," Beattie said. "I was curious as to how my voice and accent would fit in, but it has always been my long-term ambition. I need to develop my speaking skills in all sports. Ideally, I would love to host a show on world sports - soccer, Formula One racing, tennis."
No matter the vocation, colleagues and sports fans will get a kick out of Tyson Beattie.
