The North Wind

Issue date: 4/12/07 Section: Sports

From left to right: Tramon, Zach and Megan Gauthier

Zach Gauthier's living room looks like the average college athlete's living room. Within the tight walls, a couch and a chair are facing the television, which is currently flashing "SportsCenter."

Zach, a 5-foot-10-inch, 200-pound Wildcat linebacker, switches the television off and sprawls haphazardly on the couch, while his wife, Megan, kneels on the floor beside him.

On her lap is the Gauthiers' one-year old son, Tramon.

The opposite side of the little room is covered in children's toys and a tiny foam couch sits next to the television. In the hallway of the second-story apartment there is an empty diaper box.

Zach Gauthier, it turns out, isn't the average college athlete.

"Now that I have a son," he says. "I take a lot of time to be with him, instead of doing things that most people of my age would be doing."

Upon closer examination, Zach does do the same things as a few of his peers. He goes to school four days a week and after class he attends football practice, which lasts anywhere from two to three hours. He also holds a part-time job at a GNC, where he will often work 12-hour shifts on Saturdays to pick up a large enough paycheck to support his family.

Any college football player will tell you that this burden alone is a formidable one. The thing that sets Zach aside is that when he gets home at night, he must serve as a father and a husband, as well.

"As far as balancing everything out, I personally don't know how I do it," he says. "It's not fun and I get crabby, but I love it."

Although Zach may love the responsibility, most of his peers are unable to dream of such a life.

"I couldn't fathom taking that workload onto my shoulders with a wife and kids, but he does it," sophomore NMU linebacker Nathan Yelk says. "He's a proud parent and I'm sure he's a great husband, too."

The Gauthiers have always been trailblazers among their peers, though. Zach and Megan met in middle school and then went their separate ways, Zach to Ishpeming High School and Megan to the nearby Westwood High School. They stayed in touch and eventually began dating. The pair got engaged soon after their respective 2004 graduations.

Initially, the couple thought they would wait a while to say their vows, but quickly decided against it. They were married on June 11, 2005-they were both 19.

Continued...

Page 1 of 3 next >

Article Tools