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Spartans’ Chapman Signs With Wittenberg Tigers
< < Back to spartans-chapman-signs-with-wittenberg-tigersIn an elementary school library surrounded by his parents and coaches, Alexander Spartans’ Mason Chapman signed his letter of intent with to play Wittenberg Tigers’ football.
Chapman (Gridiron Glory’s 2015 Player of the Year) will head to Springfield, OH over the summer to begin practice. He’ll play as a linebacker for the Tigers, a departure from his most recent role as quarterback for the Spartans.
Reflecting on his four years at Alexander, Chapman said he is grateful for the skills he developed as a Spartan, both on and off the field.
![Chapman was named the TVC Ohio Offensive Player of the Year in 2015 for his senior year.](https://woub.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Screen-Shot-2016-04-20-at-10.04.27-AM-300x186.png)
“It was life-changing,” said Chapman. “Football turns you into a better person more than it turns you into a great football player. Being here with these coaches, I learned so much and it’s awesome that these guys have given me what I needed to go onto the next level.”
Chapman served as a team captain his junior and senior years, an experience that taught him leadership.
“I learned how to deal with people,” he said. “How to command people without being rude and still getting your point across. I’ve learned at times it’s better to be a silent leader than one that talks a lot.”
Chapman, who played football, basketball, and baseball for Alexander, was courted by a number of schools, including Ohio University. But he said Wittenberg’s coaching staff and a visit to their campus won him over.
“Once I got to the campus, I realized I wanted to be a Tiger. I’ve worked my whole life to be a part of a tradition like this,” said Chapman. “The coaching staff really cared about me- they made me feel as if I was already one of them, even before I signed. They made me feel like they really wanted me, and that was the deciding factor.”
He said he is excited to transition into his new role as a linebacker for the Tigers.
“First, I’ve got to learn the ‘Witt Way,” Chapman said. “I need to adapt to a new style of coaching and new techniques, because every coach is different. As a linebacker, I’ll have such an important role.”
Alexander head football coach Alex Penrod (Gridiron Glory’s 2015 Coach of the Year), who coached Chapman through his last two years as a Spartan, said he is confident he can make an impact at Wittenberg.
“It’s on his shoulders right now- it’s how much he wants to commit to it,” Penrod said. “He’s one of those kids that I have all the faith in that he’ll do it and make an impact early on. He’s a smart football kid, so I know he’ll do it.”