Wake Forest Athletics
Center Of Attention
9/13/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 13, 2000
By Sam Walker
He is the catalyst, the first player to touch the ball on every play from scrimmage. His concentration must stay keen for four quarters because the quick movement of his arm provides an all-important exchange from ground to the quarterback's hands. He knows he will be hit virtually every play and may end up amidst a pile of humanity that could weigh a combined 3,000 pounds. His part in the game brings with it little glory but immense responsibility. Vince Azzolina is a center, and he wouldn't have his football any other way.
In many ways, Azzolina feels as though he has been through this before. Azzolina, a 6-4, 300-pound center from Easton, Pa., has personally experienced being thrown into the fire, much the same way the young Demon Deacons of 2000 were thrown into the season against Appalachian State and soon to be against North Carolina. Now, as one of only four returning starters, Azzolina hopes he can lead the Deacons into the season in the same manner in which he began playing.
In 1998's sixth game, Azzolina was called to action suddenly when center Marlon Curtis went down with a shoulder injury. The Demon Deacons were playing ACC rival Maryland in College Park after having won two of their last four games. The day was historic for wide receiver Desmond Clark, who set the ACC's all-time receiving mark that day, but it would not have been possible had Azzolina not gotten the job done by providing good protection for quarterback Brian Kuklick. Wake Forest won the game 20-10, and that victory marked the beginning in earnest of Azzolina's firm spot in the middle of the offensive line. Azzolina split time at center with Curtis one game the rest of the 1998 season and became the full-time starter for all 12 games in 1999.
"It was weird being thrown into that role right away as a redshirt freshman, but you just have to adapt and play," Azzolina said. "You can't be scared. You just play. It just happened (that way)."
Azzolina comes from a long line of athletes dating back to his grandfather, Anthony Azzolina, who played basketball. Azzolina's father, Nick, played collegiate basketball for Lafayette which is in his hometown of Easton, and Vince's brother, Nick, Jr., began the switch of Azzolinas to the sport of football as a center and guard on the offensive line at Princeton.
"My dad is 6-2 but slender," Azzolina said. "I guess he had all the speed in the family because I sure don't have it. My brother is 6-2 and was 280 when he played. When I was little, basketball was my sport. I used to idolize Magic Johnson. But I started growing and filling out, started growing wider and not so much taller anymore in the eighth or ninth grade. In ninth grade I was 6-0, 190 pounds and in 10th grade I was 6-3 and 220. I was 290 by my senior year."
Azzolina was recognized as one of Pennsylvania's best linemen by a selection to the "Big 33" Pennsylvania team in 1996. Each year the top 33 prep players from Pennsylvania and Ohio square off in an all-star game. He was also tabbed a USA Today honorable mention high school All-American his senior season.
The imposing Azzolina is now 6-4 and about 300 pounds, a size he joking agreed was a perfect one for a center. He is known by his teammates as "Big Azz" and even has it tattooed on his arm. But the nickname has family roots as well.
"Everybody in my family has been Azz," Vince said. "My grandfather was Azz when he was alive, my dad is Azz, my brother is Azz and whenever I'm home, it's either Big Azz or Bigger Azz. I'm the Biggest Azz. It doesn't necessarily sound too good."
The Biggest Azz and his 300-pound frame were one reason the Deacons were so successful rushing the ball last season. Azzolina and fellow returning starter, Michael Collins, will shoulder much of the responsibility to do the same this season. New offensive coordinator Eddie Williamson has said that the Deacons' chances of being successful hinge on their ability to run the football in 2000.
"You're pushed into a leadership role real fast," Azzolina said. "Having those older guys around, it seemed like they were here forever. But now it's you. You're the one who takes control when people start screwing up or messing around. But that's what is supposed to happen really. That's the way I look at it. That's the way it is supposed to be.
"As offensive linemen, we love to run the football. That's what we want to do. It's the hogs playing in the mud, down in the trenches where the war is fought. We've seen in the past that if you run the ball well you win, and that's what we like. We know it's important to the game."
Last season's 1,000-yard rusher, Morgan Kane, has completed his eligibility, but Wake Forest has a stable of diverse tailbacks who can get the job done, according to Azzolina. From what he has seen in practices, Wake can be successful on the ground using various styles. "We have some great backs and some good people up front," Azzolina said. "It's all just a matter of executing."
As far as Azzolina is concerned, it doesn't matter whether you are a redshirt freshman, as he was when he took over by necessity in the 1998 Maryland game, or a senior. "It's all just a matter of execution," he said. Azzolina's philosophy worked in 1988 in Maryland although he was just a redshirt freshman. He just played. Now he is looked upon to convey the same attitude to 57 players who are considered "green" by most standards. Those who were around for last season's Aloha Bowl victory understand just how sweet winning can be.
"The attitude of the team and our work ethic is different," Azzolina said
"Ever since people have seen things change around here, they've been willing to work and willing to be taught. They see the hard work and dedication it takes to be a winner. Just winning the bowl game last year helped this program. To see where you can be and get a taste of it makes you want it again. It makes it interesting."
