Whiz Kid: Michael Walsh

The Big Blue quarterback was the Offensive Player of the Year in the Northeastern Conference Small as a junior, throwing for 2,265 yards and 21 touchdowns.

Now, before his senior year starts, he has an offer to play football at Brown University, an Ivy League school, in 2012.

He wants to study business and perhaps pursue finance as a career.

We recognize the senior as Whiz Kid for his work ethic.

His hard work and attention to the world around him helped him achieve two goals: to play football at the highest level possible in college and to get the best education.

His football coach, Stephen Dembowski, says the good things that are happening to the quarterback are a result of his hard work in the classroom, the weight room and on the athletic field.

Walsh likes athletics and competition. 

But he did not become a skilled athlete and successful competitor by accident.

He said he got his start developing his athletic skills as early as 7 years old by paying attention to role models — coaches and players.

He learned that success comes from knowing what you want and working for it.

His advice to younger kids who want to develop as athletes: "Know what you want, watch role models."

Walsh works out year round.

He is prepared physically and mentally when his football team gets into a stressful situation — the game on the line in the waning minutes.

His role at that point is to stay focused on the goal and set an example for the team. The awareness, conditioning and strength training leading up to that point gives his team the best chance for success.