RICHARDSON, Texas –– One of the biggest national college football stories of the preseason isn't coming from the campuses of Florida, LSU, Michigan, Southern Cal or Texas.
All eyes are looking toward Alpine, Texas, which is the home of the NCAA Division III Sul Ross State University, a member of the American Southwest Conference. That's where 59-year-old Mike Flynt is preparing for the 2007 season – as a player.
Flynt, who received his undergraduate degree from SRSU in 1976, has one season of participation remaining within his 10-semester eligibility time frame and has decided to give it a go. Under Division III rules, Flynt must enroll as a full-time student seeking a graduate degree or a second baccalaureate degree at the same institution where he received his undergraduate degree to use his final football season of participation.
In a statement released by the university on Thursday (Aug. 23), SRSU head coach Steve Wright said "Mike Flynt is a member of the 2007 Lobo team. His official position with the team has yet to be determined."
How Flynt, a 1966 Odessa (Texas) Permian High School graduate, decided to return to the team he last played for as a junior linebacker in 1970 is the part of the story that has the college football nation buzzing.
A team captain then, Flynt found himself on the wrong side of the University conduct policy when he participated in an altercation during preseason of his senior, and final, football year. Dismissed from the Sul Ross State campus, Flynt completed coursework and transferred the hours back to SRSU to earn his Bachelor of Science in physical education.
He went on to successful business ventures within the oil well and gold mine industries. He became a fitness instructor and invented weight training programs. He worked as a college strength and conditioning coach at Nebraska, Oregon and Texas A&M while staying in tip-top shape. Flynt is currently listed on the Sul Ross State roster at 5-9, 195 pounds – the same dimensions he was in 1970.
The idea of making a return came up at a team reunion in June.
"Mike was talking about how difficult that last year was with him not playing football,'' Randy Wilson, a best friend and former teammate of Flynt's told The Tennessean last week. "One of the guys said, 'As good a shape as you're in, you ought to go back down there and play again.' Mike looked at me and said, 'You know, I could do this.' I said, 'I know you can, but remember in our day we didn't lift too many weights. These guys are bigger, stronger and faster than we were.'"
Flynt and his wife of 35 years, Eileen, sold their Nashville, Tenn., home and moved to Alpine.
At his request, Flynt has declined personal interviews until the Sept. 3 press conference scheduled for 11 a.m. at the SRSU Pete P. Gallego Center, Room 129.
"At this time, I want the emphasis to be on the Lobo football team," said Flynt, who will turn 60 in January. "I hope to limit the distractions on the coaches, myself and my teammates as we prepare for our opening game."
SRSU opens its 2007 season on Saturday (Sept. 1) in a non-conference road game set for 6 p.m. against fellow ASC member Texas Lutheran University in Seguin, Texas.
NOTES: Flynt has been assigned jersey No. 49. . . . Wright noted in a statement released through the University on Aug.27 that due to upcoming workouts being crucial to concentration and preparation, SRSU will hold closed practices on Wednesday and Thursday. . . . The season's first home game is not until Sept. 22, an ASC game vs. East Texas Baptist.
The following is courtesy of Sul Ross State University Director of News and Publications Steve Lang (released on Aug. 30):
MIKE FLYNT AND SUL ROSS FOOTBALL: THE "WRIGHT" FIT
When pondering the question, "Why consider a 59-year-old candidate for a college football team?", head coach Steve Wright answered, "Why not?"
Thus, 59-year-old Mike Flynt, who last saw collegiate action in 1970, was given permission to return to the Sul Ross State University program and vie for a spot on the 2007 Lobo roster.
"My wife, Anita and I have raised our daughters to think outside the box, because folks are often limited by the perception of what cannot be done," Wright said. "This decision [to invite Flynt to compete] had nothing to do with publicity; it was just thinking outside the box.
"Our entire football program is structured a little differently than Football 101, and as far as this individual is concerned, he is on our roster at this time not as a coach or support personnel but as an active player."
Within the Lobo football team, life remains business as unusual, according to Wright.
"There are a lot of unusual things about this team, so Mike's a good fit. Our defensive secondary coach [Jeff Pendergraft] is an unpaid volunteer who is also an associate professor of Animal Science and the head of the Equine Science Department. Our graduate assistants are full-time position coaches and recruiters. We are creative with the resources we have available to us."
Flynt, a 1966 Odessa (TX) Permian High School graduate, has one season of eligibility remaining. He has been slowed by a minor muscle pull, but will continue to be evaluated when he returns to pads. He will not be on the traveling squad to the Lobos' season opener, Sept. 1 against Texas Lutheran University in Seguin.
Wright's assessment thus far:
"Pound for pound, Mike is one of our strongest players. He is also a mentor and a positive influence to other players. We recognize that this might be considered a high risk situation, but if we did not think he could help the team, this scenario would not exist. Heck, our coaching staff is probably considered high risk; a lot of our students are probably considered high risk. We will think of the opportunities we have in education/athletics if you are working outside the norm.
"This is the beauty of [NCAA] Division III athletics," Wright added. "It's non-scholarship and possibly the only avenue where this could be done. We would like for our team to be competitive and have a good time at this student activity. I believe Mike can contribute in both categories."
For more information, contact Steve Lang, director, News and Publications, (432) 837-8062 or slang@sulross.edu.