Healthy spring outlook for Illinois-bound Marchese

There was that one time in fifth grade, when Jimmy Marchese broke his arm.

"I was jumping over a fence," Marchese chuckled.

Other than that, Marchese grew up with a clean bill of health and few trips to the doctor's office.

And that was no small feat.

Despite playing sports year-round and living in a house of four boys, where rough-housing was considered a sport in and of itself, Marchese had somehow managed to stay injury-free.

Until last year, that is, his junior year of high school.

A linebacker for Stevenson, Marchese was in hot pursuit of the quarterback during a 2013 state playoff game against Glenbard North.

"I got cut from behind on the right side and my knee buckled and I heard a crack," Marchese said. "I knew something was wrong."

Marchese tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. Not only did he miss the Patriots' final two playoff games, he also missed the entire 2014 baseball season the following spring because he was busy rehabbing from his surgery.

"It was crazy. You go 17 years without any worries," said Marchese, now a senior. "Then everything is taken away."

Injury took away others from the Stevenson baseball team last spring besides Marchese. The Patriots were also without top hitter Zach Novoselsky and standout pitcher Eli Greenspon. Both missed the entire season.

Stevenson, a perennial power, went an uncharacteristic 14-16 on the season.

Marchese, who bounced back from his knee injury to play a major role in Stevenson's 2014 football state championship this past fall, is hoping to have a similar effect in his return to the baseball team this spring.

One of the few seniors on the team, Marchese gives the Patriots a big gun in center field and an even bigger presence in the dugout.

"It's been wonderful having Jimmy back," Stevenson coach Paul Mazzuca said. "He was sorely missed last year, as our center fielder and as one of our better hitters.

"But really, it's the leadership he brings that was really missing for us last year. Jimmy is a presence for us. He's the kind of kid who does everything right. He's such a good example for our other kids."

Marchese went to baseball practices and games last spring as much as his rehab schedule allowed. He wanted to be a part of the team, cheer on his teammates, and offer encouragement and advice.

"It was tough last year to watch the team go down with so many struggles," Marchese said. "You could tell the confidence was low. I think the seniors this year are all really motivated after last year. I know I am."

Marchese will be making up for lost time, and savoring the time he has left, all at once.

All through high school, Marchese figured that baseball would be his ticket to college. But it turns out that after two consecutive runs deep into the playoffs with the Patriots, Marchese got more looks than he bargained for in football.

He decided recently to commit to Illinois as a preferred walk-on.

"I will enjoy every minute this spring playing baseball because this is it and I'm going to miss it," Marchese said. "But I made the right decision. I'm very happy with Illinois. I've loved football my whole life and I had a great experience playing at Stevenson. The program here is amazing. It's like a family."

Football is certainly a part of the Marchese family. Dad John was a walk-on football player at Iowa.

Marchese's older brother Joey is also playing college football. He's a preferred walk-on at Maryland and is a center.

Marchese has two younger brothers, twins Henry and Michael. Henry was on the varsity football team this season at Stevenson and Michael, who is on the varsity baseball team, also played football.

"It was fun growing up in a house with four boys," Marchese said. "Sometimes fights would break out because we are so competitive, but it was mostly all good. It was fun always getting to play sports, and I think we all helped each other to get better.

"We worked out together, we taught each other things, we made each other tougher."

Tough enough to get through seven grueling months of rehab.

"It was hard being out, and going through all that with my knee" Marchese said. "I didn't know what was going to happen, or what it was going to be like when I came back. Any time you suffer a serious injury like that, you start to worry.

"But I just worked hard and believed that I could come back and I'm so glad that everything worked out."

pbabcock@dailyherald.com

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