The Observer, August 29, 2008
Volume XLI, Issue 1
Spartan Spotlight: Ben Chlebina
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Ben Chlebina is a Senior Hero for the Spartan football team. No, not Hero in the literal sense, although he would tell you differently, that is just the position he plays, which is like an outside linebacker. Chlebina is from Uniontown, Ohio and is pursuing a Biomedical Engineering degree at Case.
Greg Meyer: I have a feeling this is going to be a wild ride, but here we go. What are some of your hobbies, Ben?
Ben Chlebina: Gambling, Snowboarding, movies, watching women's gymnastics and Tiger dominate on Sundays, pissing people off.
GM: Funny you mention gambling. For those of you unaware, Ben came up with a fool proof scheme to cheat the gambling games at the Feast in Little Italy this year. It wasn't until he and I had lost about 15 bucks did he realize his plan had a little flaw. If you could invite any three people to dinner, living or dead, who would it be and why?
BC: Adriana Lima, Rihanna, and Alicia Sacramone… to see if there is a future with any of them.
GM: Yes Ben, they all have bright futures, and you are not in them. If they made a movie about your life, who would you want to play you?
BC: Marky Mark Wahlberg. He can do it all.
GM: You seem pretty into him. Maybe you should invite him to dinner instead. What's the high point in the football season?
BC: Picking Dan Whalen off at any point during camp. It's good to shut him up and deflate his head for awhile. (See final hobby above)
GM: Ben, you and I both know that the interception was a wide receivers' fault and that the wrong play was called when that interception was thrown. Who is the best athlete you've ever competed with or against and why?
BC: Tom Brew, the best Div. III linebacker since London Fletcher.
GM: Soon to be followed by Brian Calderone, the best Div. III player besides Tom Brew and London Fletcher. What's the one thing that most people don't know about football?
BC: The Browns are going to win the division and sweep the Steelers. This is the year Checkan.
GM: Checkan is in reference to fullback Corey Checkan, and Ben's roommate. However, neither of their teams will matter because the Buccaneers will win the Superbowl, in Tampa might I add, proving Florida football is better than Ohio and Pennsylvania football once-and-for- all. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
BC: Making money some place warm.
GM: What is your favorite quote?
BC: "Don't ever let somebody tell you you can't do something… You got a dream, you gotta protect it. People can't do something themselves, they wanna tell you you can't do it. You want something, go get it. Period." – The Pursuit of Happyness
GM: Great movie, no argument there. If you could participate in any other sport, which would you pick and why?
BC: Basketball. It would probably feel amazing to get in the zone and just know the defense cannot stop you… KOBE!
GM: Uh… Umm… Ok Ben Zipadeedooda. Dave Chappelle references aside, I could take you down because I have the Cunningham brothers (Ronald and Donald) on my team. Who you got? What makes football stand out from other sports?
BC: Contact, and the fact that one mistake or one big play can completely change the game.
GM: I feel you. Like, say for instance, when Ricky Jean-Francois from LSU blocked Ohio State's field goal in the second quarter of last year's National Championship game? That kind of big play? Any insight on how the season is going so far?
BC: Looking to improve on last season. We've got some holes to fill but we are capable of being really good again.
GM: Agreed.
