Small
town athlete hits the big time at MU
by
Kathleen Sprouse, posted Oct. 24, 2007
Luke Lambert, No. 33, hits hard.
From working on his family farm to training with the MU football
team, Lambert has pushed his way through.
Lambert, a 6-foot-3-inch outside
linebacker from Brookfield, Mo., was recruited by MU during
his junior year of high school. In his senior year, Lambert
graduated early to participate in MU’s spring football
training.
Lambert grew up working on his
family farm raising cattle and crops with his older brother,
Matt, and his parents, Steve and Diane Lambert. Lambert wanted
to be a lot of different things when he was younger, a rodeo
bull rider and a professional football player were a couple.
But it was third grade, and Lambert’s
bull riding career wasn’t looking promising. His friends
convinced him to play football and he was hooked.
In high school, Lambert was
named all-state linebacker with 165 tackles and broke his
high school’s record for career tackles at 383. He is
a versatile athlete. Lambert also played basketball and participated
in track, placing fourth at state in hurdles.
In Brookfield, Mo., a town of
less than 5,000 people, the Bulldog’s high school football
games were the town’s entertainment. Lambert had 82
students in his graduating class, and in coming to MU with
more than 5,000 students in his freshmen class, he knew it
would be different.
“It’s a bigger deal;
it’s like a job, a 40-hour week,” Lambert said,
comparing college football to high school ball.
Thankfully, he went through spring
training with Michael Keck, another outside linebacker recruited
early by MU. Keck and Lambert roomed together their first
semester at MU in the South residence hall. This is their
second semester at MU, and they are still roommates, but they
live off campus.
Lambert struggled in his first
semester with time management. He quickly learned he had more
time when he stopped watching TV. It was difficult adjusting
and not seeing familiar faces on campus, Lambert said. Spring
training helped him meet the team.
“We’re based off
family,” said Chase Daniel, MU’s quarterback.
When the team is working out
in the football training complex, it is “more joking
around; it’s not too serious all the time,” Lambert
said. “It’s more of a brotherly bond.”
The athletic department works
with the athletes to help them find structure. Lambert and
Keck are required to study at the football complex eight hours
a week their first semester and five hours their second semester.
“It’s really hard
to mess up here, with all the opportunities they offer,”
Keck said.
In the training complex when
the team is working out, mostly rap music is played. But before
Lambert plays, he listens to Linkin Park and Papa Roach.
“I’m old school,”
Lambert said.
After a win, Lambert won’t
be running for the Gatorade to dump on the coach; he’s
more reserved. Keck described Lambert as being more introverted.
He keeps to himself, listens to music and just hangs out.
“I can be obnoxious after
big plays and in the locker room,” Lambert said.
Lambert is focused on MU football
and school, not on a professional football career right now
but maybe in a couple years, he said.
If Lambert could, he would play
for the Chicago Bears or the Pittsburg Steelers because of
their exciting defenses.
Lambert is studying nutrition
and sports medicine, but is thinking about changing his major.
He likes Columbia and hopes to work here after graduation.
Keck had shoulder surgery in
September and is excited to play with Lambert, hopefully in
November.
“He’s a good player,
really strong,” Keck said. “He’s a hell
of a special team’s player; give him the opportunity
and he’ll make some plays.”
Lambert is excited to be playing
football at MU and is looking forward to a strong season.
Lambert’s teammates are impressed with his performance
this season, hitting hard in every game.
“The sky’s the limit
for Luke, so much potential,” Daniel said.
