Once again the athletic chest of Oxford is puffed up with pride as another Wildcat graduate is considered for the National Football League.
Eric Ghiaciuc, a 2000 Oxford High School graduate, has gained recognition by the NFL as a powerful, three-year, starting center for the Central Michigan University Chippewas.
Standing 6 feet, 3 inches and weighing 298 pounds, Ghiaciuc is described as a strong, competitive, consistent player. He saw little playing time in 2001 as a redshirt freshman. However, from 2002-04, he started all 12 games each year.
As a CMU sophomore, Ghiaciuc was a tight end until Head Football Coach Brian L. Kelly shifted him to right tackle before placing Ghiaciuc in the starting center position for the remainder of his college career.
‘I ended up guard because they said I was versatile and could move,? said Ghiaciuc, admitting the new position was technically challenging for him. ‘The challenge made me a better player.?
Undaunted by the challenge, Ghiaciuc said the changes were simply part of a learning experience that required many hours of focused workouts, not to mention keeping his head focused on executing every move.
As an Oxford Wildcat that same focus earned Ghiaciuc a jacket full of medals.
As a three-year starting lineman for the Wildcats, Ghiaciuc earned All-League Flint Metro League recognition, All-County, All Metro, All-State, and was ranked No. 43 by the Detroit Free Press and No. 37 by the Detroit News.
‘He has a phenomenal work ethic, character, and morale,? said Oxford Football Coach, Bud Rowley. ‘He is self-motivated to be the best he can be.?
‘As a sophomore in wrestling he took third in state, as a junior he took second, as a senior he took fourth in the state and that says it all about his work ethic,? Rowley finished.
In front of hundreds of Wildcat fans at Joe Louis Arena, the senior heavy weight grappler pinned the 2000 state wrestling championship title with only one loss during the campaign.
Despite all his high school success, Ghiaciuc admits that being a starter in his sophomore year at CMU was a humbling experience.
‘You immediately realize everybody is as good as you are,? he said. ‘I knew I had to play it right every single play ? every day.?
‘Some people struggle with working hard, but I knew I needed to learn how to work hard all the time,? he said. ‘I try to do that with everything I do. I just don’t see any other way,? said Ghiaciuc.
In his junior year of CMU, Ghiaciuc knew he was being scouted by the NFL, but refused to be distracted from his solid commitment to moving forward both on and off the field.
During a scout-sponsored clinic, Ghiaciuc recalls devoting as much attention to the written tests as the drills on the field.
‘The NFL is more than talent,? he said. ‘They want to see what kind of person you are too.?
Working hard on the field is not the only place Ghiaciuc sweats. Academically, the 23-year-old industrial major is a regular on the Deans List. He credits his parents and Coach Rowley for his strong work ethic and incredible focus.
Ghiaciuc said he tries to set a good example on the team and in the classroom by showing respect, practicing good sportsmanship and being an all around good representative for his school.
‘I try to be a leader (when it comes to) working hard and trying to win? said Ghiaciuc. ‘The hardest thing I’ve done is try to succeed throughout the whole course at CMU including academics.?
Although he’s heard rumors that the New England Patriots are interested in him, Ghiaciuc said he would be happy to make any NFL roster, anywhere.
For now, Ghiaciuc said he’s working hard to become a better athlete.
‘The biggest lesson is if you have your head on straight, there isn’t anything you can’t accomplish,? he said. ‘Without doing that, you become somebody you’re not.?