Middie exchange students enjoy first taste of football.

Teens from Germany and Spain are proud to wear purple jersey.

Steffen Schemmann (left) of Germany and Aitor Zabala of Spain are two foreign exchange students playing American football for the first time at Middletown High School.

Staff photo by Samantha Grier Steffen Schemmann (left) of Germany and Aitor Zabala of Spain are two foreign exchange students playing American football for the first time at Middletown High School.

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By Skip Weaver, Staff Writer Updated 8:57 AM Friday, September 18, 2009

MIDDLETOWN — Two Middletown High School foreign exchange students are getting introduced to the American way of life in a big way.

Steffen Schemmann, 17, and Aitor Zabala 16, are playing football for the first time in their lives, and they’re enjoying every minute of it.

The two were eager to try out for the Middies upon arriving in Middletown several weeks ago. Schemmann, from the Black Forest region of southwestern Germany, has been with the team since two-a-days in early August and has enjoyed his experience so far.

“My brother came to Denver, Colo., and played football,” Schemmann said. “He told me stories about playing football, and I wanted to learn some new things.”

Zabala, from the Basque Country in Spain, just began practicing with the team this week.

“It’s a hard sport, but I’ve enjoyed it so far,” Zabala said. “I’m looking forward to Friday nights.”

MHS coach Jason Krause said the experience of having both students on the team has been beneficial for players and coaches.

“It’s been great for the kids,” Krause said. “On a daily basis they talk to the guys about what they do in Germany or Spain. It’s really opened our kids’ eyes to how different cultures are.

“Neither one of them has played American football before,” he continued. “So everything they experience is brand new to them, from equipment to the game itself, but they are both here every day and are excited to learn.”

It also was a new experience for the players to get fitted for uniforms.

“When I asked them what pant size they wore, they answered me in metrics,” Krause said with a chuckle. “So I just had them try things on.

“This reminds me of when I was teaching my own kids how to ride a bike,” he continued. “They want to do everything themselves. That’s how football is to these guys. It’s kind of refreshing to see.”

Zabala has not been in a live game yet, but Schemmann had some game experience last Saturday, Sept. 12, when he suited up against Lima Senior in the junior varsity game. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound defensive lineman recorded his first-ever sack and several more tackles.

“It was a lot of fun,” Schemmann said. “This is a good game. It’s been exciting so far.”

“Having the opportunity to experience American football and be able to go back to their countries and tell stories about the Middletown Middies. How great is that?” Krause said.

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A year ago these kids probably had no idea what a "Middie" was, and when they return to their homes in Germany and Spain, they will proudly tell their friends "We now know what a 'MIDDIE' is because I am a 'MIDDIE'!"

mnjyckque
7:35 AM, 9/20/2009

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