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Shamus Straub Off to North Central College to Continue Football Career
Shamus Straub first strapped up the pads and hit the football field at just five years old. Now as a high school senior when many are forced to hang it up and the Friday night lights become a memory, he’s excited to have the chance to keep playing the game he loves.
The North Catholic Trojan recently announced his commitment to North Central College, a Division III school located in Naperville, Illinois. The Cardinals play in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW), and are coming off an undefeated season (15-0) and a National Championship.
“North Central is the right fit for me because they value academics just as much as athletics. I loved the facilities, coaches, and the team. On my visit, each player introduced themselves and made me feel a part of the team. Walking around campus, I had this feeling that it was home and where I wanted to spend the next four years.”
During his high school career, the Hampton Township native became a three-year varsity starter, accumulated over 300 career tackles, became a two-time defensive captain, a captain of the team as a senior, and helped the Trojans to a WPIAL runner-up finish in 2021. Two of his top memories from his time as a North Catholic student-athlete include beating Avonworth 7-0 in the WPIAL semifinals in his junior season and beating Hampton in his senior season 13-7 in an overtime victory.
“Being a part of a rich athletic culture has helped me grow as a player,” said Straub about being a part of the rich athletic traditions at North Catholic. “Being surrounded by other great players made me better and pushed me to be great.”
Some people he credits for helping him achieve a long-time goal of playing college football include his parents, his defensive coordinator at North Catholic, Jay Bell, and his trainer, Thomas Ricketts. Growing up in the Greater Pittsburgh area, he supports the hometown Pittsburgh Steelers and lists Cincinnati Bengals linebacker, Logan Wilson, as his favorite player and one that he strives to be like.
Shamus Straub will soon head from Greater Pittsburgh to Greater Chicago to continue playing the game he loves. North Catholic will always be home, but North Central and a new world of possibilities awaits.
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