St. Edward’s Lehman commits to Valpo
Quarterback Ben Lehman helped put the finishing touches on a major rebuilding project at St. Edward over the past two football seasons.
The 17-year-old Elgin resident agreed to tackle a similar rebuilding project at the college level when he gave his verbal commitment Monday to play for Valparaiso University.
Lehman led the Green Wave to back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time in school history in 2009 and 2010. Those two playoff appearances matched the St. Edward football program’s total in the previous 35 seasons combined.
The 6-foot-1, 195-pound senior hopes to make similar progress as quarterback for Valpo, which finished 0-11 last season under first-year coach Dale Carlson.
Lehman made an official visit to the Indiana school last weekend and phoned Carlson’s staff Monday to tell them he’s on board.
“When you build a program you develop better character and become a better person,” Lehman said of the challenge that lies ahead. “I think it’s a lot like going to St. Ed’s. Valpo’s giving me the opportunity to do the same thing and possibly start next year. They told me I’ll have an opportunity to compete.”
Valparaiso competes in the Football Championship Series (FCS), formerly known as Division I-AA. It is also the alma mater of St. Edward football coach Mike Rolando, who played four years of football for the Crusaders before graduating in December of 1995.
Lehman finished his senior season as the area’s leading passer. He completed 106-of-219 attempts for 1,799 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also rushed for 407 yards on 54 carries (7.5 avg.) and ran for 4 scores. He was named Player of the Year in the Gold Division of the Suburban Christian Conference and quarterbacked the first playoff victory in school history.
Valparaiso first contacted Lehman a year ago after viewing one of the hundreds of DVDs of packaged highlights Rolando creates and ships to colleges each year.
“They saw him last year as a junior and they’ve really been courting him hard ever since,” said Rolando, who was a college teammate of Valpo assistant head coach and offensive coordinator, Bob Muckian. “I didn’t want to influence Ben where he wanted to go. I tell kids to go where you feel the most wanted, where you’re getting the most attention.
“It’s a great school, a great education. They gave him a really great deal to get there, and it’s an awesome opportunity for him. We’re glad it’s nearby. Hopefully, we can get out to some games and see him play.”
Lehman said he plans to study sports management with a minor in business. He intends to become a coach someday.
“A sports management degree would definitely give me more opportunities to coach after college, and that’s what I want to do,” Lehman said.