Tom Gantner, Football Senior, Athletic Training
Reynoldsburg, Ohio
I WILL do whatever it takes to help my team
I WILL succeed in the classroom
I WILL do whatever necessary to get better
While many people try to hurdle through obstacles, Capital senior punter Ton Gantner kicks over them. Gantner has overcome his share of injury setbacks and has become a leader on the Crusader football squad. Gantner talked with sports information assistant Bryan DeArdo about his obstacles, the life of a punter, and what it is like to play both high school and college football with quarterback Marty Assmann.
BD: What is it like being a senior going into your final year of football season here at Capital?
TG: I've played football since fourth grade, so pretty much my whole life up to this point, so this is a special year. I'm looking forward to it.
BD: This will be your last season playing football with quarterback and fellow Bishop Hartley teammate Marty Assmann. What has the experience of playing both high school and college football with Marty been like?
TG: It's been great. We were best friends in high school, so when he decided to come to Capital, I looked into it, and it worked out for me. He has been such a great guy to go to when you have a problem or just need advice. We've always been there for each other and it's just been a great experience getting to play with him the last eight years. It's great just to watch his training and game preparation. He's very serious about what he does.
(Marty) was also great for me when I went through all of injuries. When the first one happened during a scrimmage in high school, I was devastated, and Marty knew that. He wanted nothing more than to see me play my senior year and succeed. When Marty went down with his injury, I was the first one there and supported him through his rehabilitation.
BD: Does the Bishop Ready-Bishop Hartley (Gantner's high school alma matter) rivalry compare to the one between Capital and Otterbein?
TG: Oh yeah, they do compare to each other. We beat Ready three out of four times when I was there, but I'm only 1-2 against Otterbein. It would be really great to beat them this year, as long as we're healthy. The game is at Otterbein this year, so that will be a good challenge. It's always great to beat a rival, especially at their house.
BD: As a punter, are there any misconceptions about your position?
TG: There is, to be honest with you. Kickers and punters are competitive guys who want to win just like everyone else. We also have to be very consistent and reliable. Most kickers and punters have played other positions and sports in their lives, so they're good athletes. I have also played running back and was recruited by Capital as a linebacker. It's also a critical position, because we determine the field position of the game. They say defense wins championships, so our job is to give them the best field scenario possible.
BD: You did start your career at Capital as a linebacker but multiple injuries made you give up the position and focus more on your new role as a punter. Talk about that experience.
TG: I blew out my ACL my senior year of high school. I didn't have surgery right away, and played with a brace, so all I could do was punt. So during that time I just focused more and more on kicking. I then tore meniscus my freshmen season at Capital and would also suffer two concussions by my sophomore year. Our trainer told me that if I get one more, my career would be over. That's when I began working exclusively at punting. It's worked out great for me actually.
BD: What did you learn by overcoming all of these injuries?
TG: I've never been a quitter, so it forced me to work even harder to come back. I learned that hard work pays off in the long run. I also learned that football in general is just like the game of life. You learn self-control, discipline, teamwork, sacrifice, and how to respect others. When you deal with something as hard as an injury, it forces you to step up to the challenge.
BD: What is the best part about your position?
TG: You have a lot of down time. It's cool because I do my work with the special teams, and after that I can watch the offensive and defensive practices. I think it's great because now I can look at both sides of the ball and be involved in what the whole team is doing. You get all aspects of the team now. It's cool to see how both units put their game plans together. It also has made me closer to both units on the team.
BD: What is a better feeling: downing an opponent inside the five-yard-line, or making a tackle on special teams?
TG: I love getting a tackle on special teams. I feel that downing an opponent deep is my job and I expect that of myself. But to light someone up on special teams is just a really cool thing. That is the one thing I miss since becoming a punter, the physicality of the game. I loved being able to hit when I was a linebacker. There was a brutal game against Baldwin Wallace this year, and I had a solid tackle on their return man. Their guy was breaking through and didn't see me.
BD: Did you partake in other sports growing up?
TG: I played basketball and ran track in high school. I loved soccer in grade school, and played up until eighth grade, but I don't think that background helped me with being a punter that much. Footballs are entirely different from soccer balls.
BD: Ray Guy is the only pure punter drafted in the first round in NFL history by the Oakland Raiders in 1973. He ended up winning three Super Bowls and is a member of the NFL's 75th Anniversary Team. Do you think a punter will ever be drafted in the first round again, and have the same success as Guy?
TG: I think it's very possible. It's a very competitive field right now, with a lot of good guys out there. It's a big role on the team, because every coach wants great field position. The key in consistency. If you can be reliable and the coach knows what to expect from you each time out, you're probably going to find work.
BD: Do you compare kicking styles between punters when you watch football?
TG: That's my favorite part of watching football, comparing and contrasting everyone's technique and form. Everyone's style is different, so it's cool to see everyone's approach and see if it resembles mine at all.
BD: What is Tom Gantner's plan for life after graduating from Capital?
TG: I'm looking at becoming a graduate assistant in physical therapy. It's something I'm really looking into. I may go to a big school in a south and change things up a little bit.
BD: What are you team and individual goals for this football season?
TG: Everyone's first goal is to get that OAC Championship, and then a National Championship. But overall, we want to work together, do the best we can, and to have fun. Individually, I tried a lot of different punting techniques last year, which was hard because I was doing something new and that took time to adjust. So this year I want to be more consistent.