An unsung hero

On paper, just two quarterbacks played for Virginia against Texas Tech in the Gator Bowl back in 2007.
There was a third “signal caller” on the field, however, but that designation was oblivious to those in attendance.
While time was spent scratching heads wondering where the Cavaliers’ new-look punting formation was derived before the program’s last postseason affair, the on-field leader of the “shield” formation confidently barked orders, handed out assignments and showcased unique leadership skills for a player viewed almost solely as a special-teams specialist.
To the average fan, Patrick Slebonick has been and remains an unknown. To his teammates, though, he is the epitome of what makes life as a student-athlete at the University of Virginia memorable.
“He never had to be told something twice,” said former teammate Allen Billyk, who joined Slebonick on the back wall of the first-ever shield in the Al Groh era. “Slebo was such a hard-worker and was so dependable.”
Former punter Ryan Weigand added: “What made Slebo so good when we went to that formation was that he listened to every instruction. He doesn’t try to do too much and he really makes things simple.
“What if a guy comes off the edge, well, he knows he has to make that block. He has to stay home. Simple doesn’t sound like a compliment, but it is. He is definitely the most important guy in that lineup on punts.”
To local elementary students, Slebonick means so much more.
Back in 2007, former tight end Tom Santi approached Natalie Fitzgerald, a study skills specialist at Virginia, about the possibility of a project with local students.
At that time, Santi, Slebonick and former All-American Chris Long needed to fulfill a two-hour community service credit for a course they were enrolled in.
What evolved from that was something that has changed the lives of numerous student-athletes at Virginia.
“I mentioned to [Fitzgerald] that I would love a program where we established contact with the community,” said Santi, who is on the active roster with the Indianapolis Colts. “It started real small at first. We just went over to Buford Elementary School and tutored kids.”
As one might expect, all three were nervous upon entry.
“I remember the first time that we went that they gave us two young boys who were behind on their schoolwork,” Santi said. “The kids that they gave us were the kind of kids that weren’t getting as much attention at home as they probably should have.”
Long and Santi departed for the professional ranks shortly after that, but Slebonick stayed at the Athletes Committed to Community and Education program (ACE) took flight.
“It just kind of evolved into a lot of guys on the football team rotating and we got other sports involved,” said Santi, unaware that 103 student-athletes now participate at UVa. “We adopted classrooms … and worked with the teachers for whatever they needed us to do.”
Talking about the venture brings a bright smile to Slebonick’s face, knowing that he has remained in Charlottesville to see the program take flight.
“That’s meant the world to me,” he said. “I think that is a great opportunity for student-athletes to give back to the Charlottesville community. We saw that we could really have an effect on the kids because they are clearly listening to anything that a college athlete says.
“I think that feeling of giving back and every day when you go into the class, the kids just run up to you and are hugging you and the stiff like that, I think that the gratification is just enormous from that.”
On Saturday, Slebonick will take the field at Virginia for the final time. It is a feeling that he felt last year, before being welcomed back for a fifth year.
He can thank the spread punt.
That formation, of course, will always have a special place in Slebonick’s heart since it led him back to school for yet another year.
The greatest reward from the “spread punt,” however, is felt at local schools every time the least known “quarterback” strolls in.