Bucknell University Athletics
Phelan is the Veteran of the O-Line
11/23/2009 7:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 23, 2009
By Todd Merriett, Bucknell Athletic Communications
Hailing from a place that is known for its late-afternoon thunderstorms, it's appropriate a game played in a steady rain sticks out in Bucknell senior offensive lineman James Phelan's mind. The first contest that comes to the mind of the Orlando, Fla., native and veteran of nearly 30 games as a Bison is not one of the 17 wins he has experienced in Orange and Blue. Instead, it is the first-ever college game he was on the sideline for - Sept. 2, 2006.
Phelan was most definitely on the sideline for that one, a 31-28 overtime victory over Duquesne at a rainy Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium. In fact, Phelan, who was a tight end at the time, remained behind the white line the entire game, but still remembers it fondly.
"Coach (former Bucknell offensive coordinator Ashley) Ingram told me to follow him around because he was going to sub me in at some point since I would be uncovered against the defense (Duquesne) was playing," describes Phelan, who once played both tight end and center in the same contest, needing to rip off jersey No. 99 in favor of No. 68. "Coach didn't even look at me once because he was so tied up in the game since it was so close. He never once thought `oh, let's put Phelan in and give him some experience.' In the second half I just stood and cheered on everyone else. I had no problems about not playing. I was a freshman."
So, what led that freshman to tiny Lewisburg and Bucknell from sunny Florida and one of the hottest tourist destinations in the world? It was another former Bison assistant coach, Tim Camp. While on the recruiting circuit, Camp inquired with Phelan's coach at Bishop Moore High School about potential players for the Bison and Phelan's name was mentioned.
"Coach Camp immediately said I would fit in at Bucknell," recalls Phelan. "He kept following me and I visited Bucknell for two days, really liked it and took the offer as soon as he gave it. He came and found me and I decided it was a good match."
Phelan, a management major, had also considered Patriot League schools Colgate and Georgetown as well as a few Ivy League institutions, but Bucknell was the first to swoop in with a concrete offer.
As would be expected from someone who had a number of Northeast schools on his list of possibilities, a sandal-wearing Phelan on a November day mentions he has never had an issue with the colder weather than his home state, even though he plays a sport known for competing in crisp fall temperatures and snowy wintery conditions.
Phelan, one of six Florida natives on the Bison roster, has thrived at Bucknell, anchoring the offensive line each of the last two seasons. Despite being undersized at 6'2", 261 pounds, Phelan has started 21 consecutive games at center and has been one of the most experienced Bison on an offensive line that has had continuity, but is still young.
Four of the five members of the offensive line have started every game over the last two years, but Phelan remains the veteran of the group, which consists of two sophomores and two juniors in addition to the veteran center who is a team co-captain this season.
"It is a little weird knowing I am going to be the only one leaving after this year," says a nostalgic Phelan. "It makes me feel like I am going to be missing some stuff. I have been with these guys for the past two or three years and now they are going to keep on hanging out together and playing every day and I am not going to be there."
A late arriver to the sport of football, Phelan didn't start playing organized ball until high school due to his mother's fears of injury. However, his dad's love of the game pushed Phelan into the experience.
"My mom would not even buy me rollerblades thinking I would get hurt, let alone let me run out there and get tackled," remembers Phelan with a smile. "Once I got to high school my mom said I was mature enough to take a hit, although I was a skinny kid for awhile."
While not skinny anymore when compared to non-football players, Phelan is quite undersized for a Division I offensive lineman. However, he was once much smaller, but tried his best to hide it.
"I was playing second string center as a freshman and dropping weight quite rapidly," recalls Phelan. "In the middle of camp I was 211 pounds after coming in it 230. I was lying on my sign-in sheets so no one would know how light I really was."
Since then, Phelan has added 50 pounds to his frame, thanks to help from the Bison strength and conditioning staff, notably John Field.
"Coach Field really helped with my diet and with his encouragement and knowing that in order to be successful I needed to gain the weight, it was an easy decision to just eat and eat," smiles Phelan.
Even though he continues to be outweighed by nearly every defensive lineman he faces, Phelan does have a secret weapon he gladly uses to his advantage: speed.
"People usually consider the defense fast, but our offensive line is quick and agile and we can keep up with them," explains Phelan. "We can go out there and chase the linebackers all the way up to the safeties. I think that really aids in the way we run our offense. Lighter or heavier, we use our strengths to our advantage."
Like many Bison in recent years, Phelan stayed on campus this past summer and worked with Field to stay in football shape and prepare for his final season. In addition to the daily workouts, Phelan worked with the custodial staff on upper campus and had a blast.
"People don't believe me when I say this past summer was one of the best I have ever had," remarks Phelan. "All my years in life, staying in Lewisburg was one of the most fun things I ever did. We went floating down the Susquehanna on inner tubes and hog wrestled over at Ard's Farm Market. For once I was able to enjoy the sights and sounds of Lewisburg. So many guys were here, I couldn't not have fun when all my friends were around."
While Phelan did not spend his summer at home in Orlando, he still sees his family quite often, especially during the football season. His father, John, will be attending his 11th game of this season this afternoon, while his mother has been to six and his sister three. The plane ride covering the 1,000 miles between Orlando and Lewisburg does go both ways as Phelan routinely makes it home for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Spring Break.
"My parents have been really great about making sure I get home. I think they miss me when I am gone," explains Phelan. "There is a direct fight out of Harrisburg and they really enjoy having me home, so they help me out. They have converted my room into the guest room, though. Real nice. It doesn't look anything like my room anymore."
While Lewisburg has treated Phelan well over the years, especially this past summer, he is anxious to return to the Sunshine State - even if his room might no longer be available - following graduation next May. His post-graduation plans are still up in the air and he is going to see which opportunities come his way in the coming months. Before that, though, he still has one more football game to worry about today. He should make it start No. 22 in a row at center. This time, the coaches will notice if he is on the sidelines.
Note: This story appeared in the Nov. 21 Bucknell-Holy Cross football game program
