“He’s as nice, as For this gentle giant, playing in the NFL is just a job. gentle and as kind of a human being as you’ll ever find. But you don’t have a starting position in the NFL if you’re not a physical specimen an who’s mentally and physically tough.” atypical – NORTHWEST OFFENSIVE LINE COACH BART TATUM Story by Mitzi Lutz Photos by Darren Whitley athlete verything’s bigger in Texas, and Texans will be the first to But other than his NFL build, big No. 78, or thought about when I was growing up.” tell you that. They’ve got big belt buckles, the big D and Wando as his teammates call him, defies the stereotype Unlike the outspoken, flashy athletes often seen on big hearts. So because of his size alone, Seth Wand ’03 of a professional athlete in the public consciousness. the highlight shows, he’s shy, laidback, soft spoken and fits right in. At 6-foot-7 and 320 pounds, he wears a size For one thing, playing in the NFL was not a down to earth. He drives a GMC pickup truck, has a E 16 shoe, and his size 20 wedding ring was custom made childhood dream for Wand. In fact, he doesn’t consider soft spot for cats and spends his free time playing video with a hinge to accommodate his massive knuckles. His himself a sports fan. games. favorite snack? A steak dinner at midnight. “I never watched football growing up,” he said. “I “The only reason I know the NFL teams, what Size definitely matters in Texas, and that’s one reason never had a favorite team or player because I just didn’t divisions they are in and some of the big time players why the NFL’s Houston Texans are counting on the follow it. I never played football until my brother is from playing football video games as a kid,” Wand big offensive left tackle to create some on-field magic played in high school, and I only played because he said. “Joe Montana on the video games would be really and let the rest of the league know they don’t mess with did. I was good at it, so I kept on playing, and then I good, and when he threw the ball to Jerry Rice, Rice Texas. got a scholarship to Northwest and all of a sudden I’m would always catch it.” The third-round draft pick is the first Northwest drafted, and now here I am in the NFL. Above all, he has remained level-headed – especially graduate to have a starting position in the NFL, and “There are only 53 guys on the Texans, and there are considering a few years ago he was sacking groceries as such, he has a multi-million dollar responsibility probably 53,000 guys who wish they could be on an and now has a three-year contract that nets a seven- – protecting the blindside of quarterback David Carr. NFL team. Playing on this level is just not something I figure income. Seth Wand (left) prevents San Diego’s Steve Foley Whether at home or in the Texans players’ lounge, A rigorous weight training program allows Wand to from gaining access to the Texans quarterback. Wand enjoys playing the video game Halo. maintain his enormous size and strength. 12 NOVEMBER 2004 NORTHWEST ALUMNI MAGAZINE NORTHWEST ALUMNI MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2004 13 Before coming to Northwest, Wand was that caught the scouts’ attention, Wand a road game, I had to go get the entire Wand said he enjoys. a “small” 240-pound defensive lineman at and Beth Reuters ’02, ’03, whom he later offensive line 100 chicken tenders from “Last year I went to a hospital and Springfi eld’s Catholic High School, and “all married, fl ew to New York City for the Popeye’s Chicken right after the game,” he talked to some kids and also to a school,” I ever did was run over everybody,” he said. NFL draft. said. “I was fast and effi cient and got a lot he said. “Grandma (Barbara) Bush was Northwest’s coaching staff convinced “When it was announced that I was of compliments from the line, so I guess there, so that was pretty cool. I’ve been to him his body was built for the offensive line. picked in the third round by the Texans, I won some points with them. On some several events were you sign autographs; I They knew what they were talking ESPN was on a commercial break. When teams they tie the rookies to the goal post recently participated in an airplane towing about. they returned to the TV coverage, it was or throw you in the cold tub or make you contest; and I’ve been a part of a deal where “Besides his massive size, he’s got feet like ‘oh yeah, and the Texans drafted Seth stand up and sing. It’s all in good fun, but people pay several hundred dollars a plate like a ballerina,” said Northwest offensive Wand from Northwest Missouri State.’ I I’m glad I didn’t have to do anything like just to sit and eat with a Texans player.” line coach Bart Tatum who persuaded immediately got a bunch of phone calls that.” While signing autographs, rubbing Wand to give Northwest a shot. “He’s very and everything was a whirlwind.” Despite the minor hazing, Wand’s team- elbows with high profi le personalities and a diligent and treats football like a craft. All The chaos quickly settled, and the next mates have welcomed him to the team. comfortable lifestyle are all part of the job, you have to do is tell him something one week Wand was back in Maryville to take “The offensive line is a pretty close Wand only seeks one thing. time and he’ll remember it and execute it his fi nals and attend the commencement group of guys,” he said. “We try to go out “I just want respect from my peers,” he on the fi eld.” Seth and Beth Reuters Wand, who met at Northwest, are expecting their fi rst child – a boy – in March. ceremony in Bearcat Arena where he to dinner once a week, and we play video said. Considering Beth is 6-foot and Seth is 6-foot-7, Seth’s agent claims he has “fi rst dibs” on the future athlete. The coach/athlete relationship has pro- graduated with a degree in management games in the players lounge every chance “That, and a Super Bowl ring would be gressed to a friendship. Wand and Tatum tackle and garnered many o-line accolades Wand said. “I had a good fi rst day of information systems. we get. It’s encouraging for me to be nice,” Beth quickly added. continue to talk on the phone every week. throughout his college career. He was practice, and I played well in the game. As a rookie last season, Wand not only around these guys because they have such They’ll have to make that ring custom, “He’s as nice, as gentle and as kind of named an All-American fi rst team selection That was probably my big break.” had to learn unfamiliar plays and NFL good character. Everyone on the team is of course. Size 20. ■ a human being as you’ll ever fi nd,” Tatum by the NFL Draft Report and competed in During his senior year at Northwest, routines, he also had to endure a rite of there for one single purpose – to help each said. “But, you don’t have a starting position the 2003 Senior Bowl – a game featuring Wand was fl ooded with phone calls, letters passage – hazing. Fortunately for him, the other win football games.” in the NFL if you’re not a physical specimen the country’s best senior collegiate football and packages from agents throughout the Texans have only been around for two years Other than winning football who’s mentally and physically tough.” players and top NFL draft prospects. country wanting to represent him. so there’s not a long tradition of pranks on games, the Houston Texans also Wand allowed only one sack at North- “I think I got the NFL coaches’ atten- Wand’s life was soon on the fast track. the young guys. expect their players to perform west in his three seasons as a starter at left tion when I played in the Senior Bowl,” With a well-respected agent and skills “Last year, every time we traveled for community service – something Seth Wand isn’t the only success story to emerge from the Coach Mel Tjeerdsma Era at Northwest. TONY MILES ’00 ALAN BUCKWALTER ’00 DAVE PURNELL ’99 CURT LESSMAN ’02 JESSE HAYNES ’01 CHRIS GREISEN ’99 T.J. SCHNECKLOTH ’01 JAY EILERS ’99 ■ Starting receiver for ■ Played preseason as a ■ Played three years in the ■ Center for NFL’s Atlanta ■ Running back for two ■ Quarterback for the ■ Defensive end/linebacker ■ Offensive and defensive Canadian Football linebacker with NFL’s Arena Football League as Falcons in 2002; years for the NFL’s NFL’s Arizona Cardi- in Arena 2 League lineman for Arena League’s Toronto Cincinnati Bengals a place kicker for the Des center for Arena Football Kansas City Chiefs nals and Washington Football with Quad City 2 League Football Argonauts ■ Works as a fi refi ghter Moines Barnstormers League’s Chicago Rush ■ Currently is Northwest’s Redskins Steamwheelers with Quad City ■ Named All-CFL last with the Kansas City Fire ■ Works as a fi refi ghter and Charlotte Cobras in coordinator for minority ■ Played one year for the ■ Currently teaches fi fth Steamwheelers season Department with the Southern Platte 2003; fullback/linebacker affairs Rhein Fire in NFL Europe grade and coaches ■ Currently teaches physi- Fire Protection District for Columbus Destroyers ■ Started clinic for young offensive and defensive cal education and serves in 2004 athletes and coaches lines North Scott High as head football coach ■ Currently coaches at high school football School in Eldridge, Iowa for Albany High School Northwest while com- ■ Working to regain a pleting master’s degree position in the NFL CARDS COURTESY OF MARGARET NELSON MARGARET OF COURTESY CARDS 14 NOVEMBER 2004 NORTHWEST ALUMNI MAGAZINE NORTHWEST ALUMNI MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2004 15 .