Football: Laces Out -- Tony Ciaravino I'm Definitely Not

I should have known as I walked out of the visiting team’s tunnel and onto to the Rentschler Field turf this morning that I was doomed.

Tuesday afternoon I got a phone call from a representative of Allstate Insurance Company asking me if I wanted to participate in a touring fund raiser they’ve been putting on at a number of college football stadiums around the country.

Allstate’s Good Hands Field Goal Net program has raised more than $1.16 million for general scholarship funds at colleges nationwide.

On Tuesday morning Allstate representatives were at Rentschler Field to host media members in their attempts to kick field goals for charity.

I volunteered Tuesday when I got the call and this morning I arrived at Rentschler at 8:15 a.m. for my shot at putting one through the uprights from 25 yards out.

I was escorted out of the tunnel by Jonathan the Husky mascot and a UConn cheerleader.

Every kicker I have ever talked to has always talked about kicking being all mental. If you’re head’s not right it’s not going to be there. Well, little Miss Rah-Rah Go UConn girl drops this line on me as we’re walking from the tunnel.

“You could be the next Matt Nuzie !!!!!!”

“Wait, wait, didn’t he lose his job last year? Doesn’t he sell real estate now? I don’t want to sell real estate.”

OK, no offense Matt (really always respected Matt for being a standup guy in a role where that's not the easiest thing to be), but clearly, she ruined any hopes I had. Here I am going out there thinking all Vinatieri and she’s got to go Nuzie on me.

Well not surprisingly, I was wide right. Had the leg too, just hung it out there a few feet wide of the upright.

The best part was even a miss was worth the effort as Allstate still donated $250 to the charity of my choice, of which I chose Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Next year I’m getting some private lessons from the Kick Squad before heading back out on the field.

Shawn Courchesne, 5:31 p.m.

Comments

[Mike Anthony]

This just in from UConn men's basketball reporter Mike Anthony ... exclusive video of Shawn Courchesne practicing for his big kick:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=pg-8bWPIdm0

[Mark Mockovak]

Mike,
Thank you so much for posting Shawns field goal practicing. I think I want to see him catch some punts next.

[Mike Anthony]

I'm told that Shawn was a heck of a floor hockey goalie for Team Courant back in the day, too.
Yes, he's a two-sport star, folks.

[Mike Anthony]

Mark,
I've seen Shawn return punts. It was kind of like watching Johnny Knoxville try to take on the USC special teams without blockers.
-Mike