MSNsportsNET Wrote:Shining Brightly
By Christopher Marshall for MSNsportsNET.com
July 7, 2007

http://msnsportsnet.net/page.cfm?story=1...exclusives


Adam Bednarik is looking forward to a healthy senior campaign in 2007.
All-Pro Photography/Dale Sparks photo

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Just two short years ago the football future of West Virginia quarterback Adam Bednarik seemed so bright.

After recovering from shoulder surgery that took place in December of 2004, the big, strong-armed quarterback from Bethlehem, Pa., got his first chance at significant playing time as a sophomore in 2005, splitting the quarterback duties with redshirt freshman Pat White.

Bednarik made the most of his opportunity early in the season, going 5-1 as a starter and leading WVU to a 15-7 win in the season opener at Syracuse. In that game, Bednarik showed the poise and moxie of a man that seemed ready to lead the Mountaineers for years to come, completing 14 of 21 passes for 104 yards and rushing for a team-high 72 yards against the Orange.

Other highlights included a 10 of 12 passing performance for 116 yards in a 20-15 win over East Carolina and an efficient 9 for 10 for 78 yard game including a 21-yard touchdown to Brandon Myles in a 27-14 Mountaineer victory at Rutgers.

However, for every confidence building performance for Bednarik in the autumn of 2005, there seemed to be an equal number of set backs due to injury, a foreshadowing sign of what would become an agonizing, injury-plagued career at WVU.

First, there was a neck sprain at Maryland that forced him to sit out the fourth quarter in College Park. Then there was a knee bruise in the East Carolina game, followed by the injury that later proved to be the most serious, a shoulder stinger that sent Bednarik to the sideline in the second quarter of the Virginia Tech game. Finally, a right foot sprain forced the Bethlehem, Pa. native to sit most of the final quarter against Louisville, effectively ending the sophomore’s season.

Bednarik had to have a second shoulder surgery following the 2005 season, an operation that was intended to correct a shoulder that never healed correctly after the first surgery. The long rehabilitation forced Bednarik to sit out the entire 2006 campaign.

Now, on the cusp of his senior season, and sitting in the third quarterback spot behind starter Pat White and solid backup Jarrett Brown, Bednarik is thankful for an injury free spring and excited to contribute in any way possible in his last season in Morgantown.

“It is pretty fun to be able to make it through a whole spring without being re-injured and then coming into summer workouts fresh,” Bednarik said. “I’m just trying to get my shoulder stronger each and every day and everything has been going well so far.”

The hardest part of the recovery process for Bednarik was being forced to watch from the sidelines during both games and practice. More than anything, he just wants to be out there taking reps, getting better, and playing a game he has always loved.

“I’ve grown up playing sports since I was young. It’s in my blood and it’s what I love to do. I love football and to not be able to play anymore would kill me,” Bednarik said. “Last year, standing on the sidelines and not being able to play killed me. I’m just looking forward to the chance to put the uniform on again and to get out there and play.”

Where he plays might be a surprise to some. Bednarik took some reps at wide receiver this spring and has worked on some pass catching drills with the other quarterbacks this summer.

“When I met with Coach Rod this spring we agreed that I am definitely going to be a quarterback first but they said they are going to try to get me on the field any way they can,” Bednarik said. “I have been doing some wide receiver and some passing throughout the summer to try to get on the field somewhere.”

One of Bednarik’s most vital roles on the team is to push both White and Brown to be the very best they can be everyday in practice. Competition often brings out the best in people and Bednarik says the natural competitiveness in the Mountaineer quarterback trio has done just that.

“Competition is great, especially at the quarterback position. Obviously it is a tough position to get guys on the field because only one can play at a time but I think it makes all three of us better because when we come to practice the competitiveness in all three of us it brings out the best in each of us,” Bednarik said. “Whether we’re in the film room or we’re out there practicing, it’s the same goal.”

With all Bednarik has been through, no reasonable person could have blamed him for quitting, or for searching for another school where an opportunity to see meaningful playing time at quarterback would have been far greater. Through it all, Bednarik has handled himself with class -- and grace -- determined to get healthy and help the Mountaineers reach their goals in 2007.

“I’ve just tried to go out each day and do whatever I’m doing 100 percent to the best of my ability. I’ve kept my faith and my family has been a really strong backbone for me,” Bednarik said. “They have supported me in everything I have done and I just try to keep in the back of my head the thought that everything happens for a reason.”

Bednarik, who is majoring in athletic coaching education, plans to graduate in December and then pursue a master’s degree in special education. He plans to take the life lessons of adversity he has learned and use them to help other people.

Bednarik’s future in life couldn’t be brighter.