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Playing With Heart

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By CLIFF GILL Tribune correspondent

Published: January 22, 2008

At 6-foot-3 and 270 pounds, you might think that the biggest thing about Wesley Chapel senior Charles Van Zandt is his physical size. But, ask football coach John Castelamare and he'll tell you it's the size of Van Zandt's heart.

"He played much of the season hurt and never once asked to leave a game. Plus, Charles played nearly every minute of every game. He was an offensive tackle, played on the defensive line and also on special teams," Castelamare said.

The coaching staff thought so highly of Van Zandt that they named him the Outstanding Senior, awarded to the team member who displayed both extraordinary talent and leadership. Van Zandt also received third team all-conference recognition as a right tackle.

Coach and player first met when Van Zandt was a ninth-grade band member.

"He weighed about 160 pounds," Castelamare said. "Now, he lives in the weight room and is all muscle. As a player, he has developed good feet, is quick and agile. And, he's very aggressive."

The aggressiveness stems from Van Zandt's desire for contact.

"I like to hit people," he said. As a pulling tackle, success against defending linemen and linebackers was critical. "If we don't get a good push up front, our backfield won't succeed."
Van Zandt is a member of his school's track team, throwing the discus and shot put. He is also a member of the weightlifting team.

In the classroom, Van Zandt maintains a 3.2 GPA. His English teacher, Joe Bockus, mentioned that Van Zandt is one of those rare students who is both serious and funny.

"He was a volunteer in a video titled 'Parody As Literacy' that the class put together. The moral of the story was to get students interested in reading. It was a comedy and Van Zandt used his football techniques, such as tackling a trash can, to make several key points. The video was a huge success," Bockus said.
Van Zandt also is active in the community. For the past two years, he has volunteered with Special Olympics.

"I go there to help kids who need help and try to be a positive role model. It feels right to do something good for others," he said.

On Sundays, Van Zandt is a member of a group of student-athletes who belong to a teen youth group at his Church in Carrollwood.

"For two hours, we have a Bible study, followed by a close bonding and reflection time with other teens. It's mutually supportive," he said.
Van Zandt is a leader on every team he joins.

Teachers, coaches: If you would like to nominate an outstanding student-athlete to be featured in an upcoming In The Community article, contact Cliff Gill at reportercliffgill@yahoo.com or (727) 860-4903.

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