The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Learning to teach
04.10.2003 | Football
In just three seasons at Texas, senior cornerback Nathan Vasher has established himself as a college football star. The former three-sport star and prep honor student at Texas (Texarkana) High enters his final season with the Longhorns as one of the nation's premier defensive backs and most explosive return men. Despite his success, Vasher hasn't forgotten the hard work and determination it took earn a college scholarship.
A key member of a UT secondary that led the Big 12 in pass defense (165.2 ypg.) and ranked second in pass efficiency (96.1 rtg.) in 2002 and an aspiring teacher/coach, Vasher gives what time he can spare mentoring students at Campbell Elementary School.
"I try to set a good example for them so they will want to follow and do what their teachers and parents ask them to do," Vasher said.
Rising with the sun, the 5-foot-11, 180-pounder visits the kids once a week first thing in the morning. Balancing football, schoolwork and mentoring can be a tough load to handle, but Vasher always finds time for his weekly visit with the students.
"The kids get really excited to see us and they look forward to our visits," he said. "If we ever have to miss a day, they are disappointed, so it really puts pressure on me and motivates me to make it every week. It makes me feel good that someone gets so excited just to see me."
Elementary students can be very shy around older kids they don't know, so the youth and community studies major puts on a friendly face and gets down on his knees to meet them at their level. To ease the initial discomfort and awkwardness, Vasher brings coloring books or word games to help with their vocabulary. He has found that being able to do activities together is important in building a trusting relationship.
"I have to earn their trust and be there for them," Vasher said. "It's not all about talking or telling them what to do but also listening to them and being their friend. It's important to help them talk to other kids in their class and interact with them. If they're having trouble in math or reading, we can work on that. I also have them draw pictures to express their emotions. It helps them open up and helps me learn what is going on in their lives."
During the course of last season, the students discovered that Vasher was a Longhorn football player and began asking all sorts of questions.
"They wanted to know what number I was," said Vasher, who shared UT's Outstanding Defensive Back award last year. "They like to watch for us on television or from the stadium with their parents. They always ask questions about the team, like what we do during practices and how we get so big and tall."
Going through the experience of being a mentor has helped Vasher gain even more respect for the coaches once he turns into a student on the football field.
"I have found out that the kids have their own ideas of what they think they should do and how it should be done," Vasher said. "I can be headstrong and want to do what I want to do, but my coach always knows best."
Not only has he tallied 112 tackles (85 solo), two sacks, nine TFLs, 11 interceptions (including a UT-record-tying seven in 2001) and 38 PBUs during his three-year career, but he also has returned 66 punts for 950 yards (14.4 avg.) and two touchdowns. The 2002 second-team all-conference choice at both safety and punt returner had positive things to say about spring training and his upcoming senior season.
"I think the majority of the guys did really well during spring practice and it will be very tough for Coach Brown and the staff to decide who will play what position in the fall," Vasher said. "Coming back and getting the chance to work with Coach Akina and against some of our offensive players helped me improve. I had the opportunity to work on some things that I wasn't so good at last year, like my off coverage and zone defense. I'm just trying to tweak some things right now to prepare for the season."
Although Vasher has only one year remaining in Austin, his future plans include mentoring children, maybe back in his hometown as a head football coach. It was there that the Texarkana Texas Exes Association recognized him and his high school coach, Barry Norton, for their success and contributions to the community. Mayor James Bramlett declared May 22, 2002, "Nathan Vasher Day."
"I would love to be able to go back to my high school in Texarkana and be a coach someday," he said. "I want to see the kids from my hometown be successful, and hopefully, I will be able to make that easier for them, just like my coaches did for me."
