Bucknell University Athletics
Gerlach Meets the Challenge and Excels on Football Field
11/7/2010 7:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 7, 2010
By Todd Merriett, Bucknell Athletic Communications
Don't tell Rob Gerlach he can't do something. He will surely prove you wrong.
If Gerlach was not challenged nearly a decade ago, he might be a member of Jim Cotner's Bison men's golf team today rather than Joe Susan's football squad.
As a freshman in high school in Downingtown, a suburb of Philadelphia, Gerlach was a member of the golf team and had never stepped onto the gridiron. His father and his older brother, who had played football starting at the pee wee level and for more than 10 years in all, told him he would fail at football if he tried. Gerlach became determined to prove them wrong and went out for the football team as a sophomore and immediately fell in love with it.
"Once I got past that first year where I had to change physically from golf to football, it was great," says Gerlach. "Football is a great team sport. Having this many guys around you that you have friendships and attachments with makes the sport great. It has definitely worked out for the best."
Bucknell fans certainly agree that his switch from the links to the football has worked out. Just a seven-year football veteran, Gerlach is in the midst of his third year as a starting safety for the Bison. He has been part of the starting unit 26 times, including all eight games this year. In his four years in Orange and Blue, Gerlach has totaled 93 tackles, four tackles for loss, three interceptions, seven pass breakups and he has forced a pair of fumbles. This year alone he has 32 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and one pass breakup.
Bison first-year defensive coordinator Clayton Carlin mentions that Gerlach is a tough and reliable player, and that is shown by his consistency. Despite playing with two surgically repaired shoulders, Gerlach has been at every single practice this year and has posted seven multi-tackle outings, including a career-high eight at Marist.
With just three games remaining in his Bucknell career, Gerlach is hoping this year ends differently than the past two. In 2008, the 5'11", 200-pound player suffered an injury to his right shoulder that required offseason surgery. Then last year in a game at Lafayette he injured his left shoulder, forcing him to miss the final three contests and face surgery once again. It was especially disappointing since he was among the Patriot League leaders in interceptions at the time of the injury.
Gerlach missed spring practice both years. In fact, he only participated in one spring practice his entire time at Bucknell - a blessing in some ways (practices can be tough) and a curse in others (practice is necessary to prepare to play).
"It was a little disheartening after surgery because you have to take it so slowly," explains Gerlach, who has a high-energy personality. "All the other guys are out there at spring practice going full bore and it is hard to watch."
Coming off both shoulder surgeries Gerlach had to prove himself all over again. In 2009, he was held out of the starting lineup on opening night in favor of then-sophomore Sean Rafferty. Gerlach made two tackles playing in reserve that night at Duquesne and returned to the starting lineup for good the following week.
This year, Gerlach was extremely nervous he would lose the cherished playing time he had worked so hard to obtain. With an entirely new coaching staff on hand, and not being able to participate in spring practice, Gerlach was unsure of his place on the team entering preseason camp. Fortunately, the new staff was just as impressed by him as the former one and he was part of the starting lineup for game one, which was at Duquesne for the second consecutive year.
"The shoulder injuries have actually made it a better experience for me," says a positive Gerlach. "They made me more competitive to try to earn the (starting) spot back. I am very fortunate to be on the field and get back in the lineup."
Gerlach has been an invaluable member of the veteran Bison defensive backfield this season, especially with the season-ending injury to classmate and fellow safety Ahkiel White. Gerlach now often has a freshman (Derrick Palmer) or sophomore (Joseph Francis) lining up next to him.
"It's great when you can look at the guy next to you and know by his body language what he is thinking. That's something Ahkiel and I have," mentions Gerlach, who is also joined by senior Jamal Briggs and junior Bryce Robertson in the defensive backfield at the start of most games. "The younger guys have done a good job. Obviously, they aren't going to be the same as Ahkiel since we had the time together, but they have been good."
Surprisingly, Gerlach categorizes himself as a lead-by-example type of player. It is actually the opposite of the way he appears during a conversation. He is a very confident and sure young man who comes across as anything but shy. However, he mentions he is most vocal during games, but outside of that tends to be relatively quiet.
Gerlach recently had plenty to talk about when against Lehigh two weeks ago he was flagged for pass interference on the Mountain Hawks' opening drive of the game. The Lehigh sideline's immediate reaction to the call was offensive pass interference, and even a week after the call Gerlach was still in disbelief over the flag.
While that call went against Gerlach and eventually led to a Lehigh score, there have been plenty of times where Gerlach has helped the Bison to victory. Last year, in a 26-23 victory over Robert Morris he intercepted two passes, the first Bucknell player to do that since 2007.
That game against Robert Morris makes Gerlach reflect back to his sophomore year when the Bison defeated the Colonials 17-14 on the road.
"I usually just remember how I felt after a game and whether it was a win or a loss. I can't remember specific plays," says Gerlach. "The things I remember most is the camaraderie and practicing and the friendships that develop over time. However, there is one play I remember at Robert Morris from a couple years ago."
That play involved Sam Nana-Sinkam, a senior on last year's team, blocking a last-second field goal that would have tied the game and forced overtime. Gerlach was a couple steps behind Nana-Sinkam, ready to get a hand on the kick himself, and there is a picture to prove it. Gerlach was so pumped up about the block and victory that he took a moment to celebrate, forgetting the Colonials could pick the ball up. Luckily his moment of excitement did not hurt as Bucknell covered the ball and improved to 2-0 on the young season.
Gerlach has made a name for himself on the football field with a number of memorable performances, but he is not the most recognizable face in his family. That honor goes to his father, Jim, who is a United States Congressman representing the 6th District of Pennsylvania. Mr. Gerlach recently considered running for Pennsylvania Governor, but he wasn't able to get the appropriate backing.
Growing up, Gerlach experienced what he considers a normal childhood, although in high school his teachers and classmates would often ask what his father's opinion on a certain subject would be. Gerlach usually didn't know because he wasn't into politics.
Around Bucknell most people know of his political connections, and nearly two dozen members of the Bison football team even have t-shirts that say "Jim Gerlach for Congress" or "Jim Gerlach for Governor".
Growing up in a political family did teach Gerlach that he doesn't want to follow in his father's footsteps in politics. Instead, he is hoping to use his management degree and hopefully land a job in film production, whether that is publicity or coverage on scripts. Gerlach's brother is currently in the industry and has relayed only positive information.
"My dad's travel schedule pushes me away from politics," says Gerlach, whose cumulative grade-point average is 3.22. "He puts A LOT of miles on his car. Once I saw that and how he is constantly campaigning and fundraising and going to events, that makes me shy away. I am someone who likes a little more free time."
Assuming lightning doesn't strike again and Gerlach makes it through the rest of his senior campaign without an injury, he will surely put some of his upcoming football-less free time to use out on the golf course. He and classmate and teammate Jason Vollmar plan to spend plenty of time at the Bucknell Golf Club next semester.
Vollmar better not challenge Gerlach. There is no mystery as to who the winner would be there.
Note: This story appeared in the Nov. 6 Bucknell Football Gameday Program vs. Fordham.
