Andy Gallik: The Center Of Attention
September 18, 2014 | Football
By Grace Vickers
The standard definition of a center is "the football player in the middle of a line who passes the ball between his legs to a back to start a down." Someone with a basic knowledge of football may refer to the center as the player who "hikes" the ball. What many football fans may not realize is that the center is usually the most intelligent player on the offensive line. His acuity is critical to the team's success. Graduate center Andy Gallik fits into that role like the final piece of a puzzle.
After three seasons of starting at center for the Eagles, Gallik has begun his final stint as a college football player. The 6-foot-3, 304-pound Evergreen Park, Ill., native hasn't always played center. In fact, Gallik was a right tackle until he began playing at The Heights.
"I always thought there was a lot more responsibility at center and it was cool to take ownership of that. I like that I'm in control of the ball every single play and I'm getting the rest of the offensive line on the same page," Gallik said.
However, he didn't make his journey alone. Gallik had mentors, such as Ian White, who he views as a big brother.
"He's the guy that I always turned to whenever I had problems with watching film, with stuff on the field, or even things in my personal life. We're really close and I looked up to him," Gallik said.
The Eagles' 2014 offensive line is comprised entirely of graduate students who have each been under the bright lights more than a few times. Their experience is key as much of the rest of the BC team is filling roles left by veterans last season.
"Myself, Harris Williams and Bobby Vadaro have been starting together for the last couple of years, and Seth [Betancourt] who's playing left tackle now started a few games in the past. Ian [Silberman] started several games in the SEC last year [at Florida]. There's nothing you can really do to replace experience, especially in college," Gallik stated.
Though the Eagles are without Doak Walker Award winner Andre Williams this season, Gallik recalls how well his offensive line and Williams complimented each other last season.
"I think the way we blocked out front showed off his abilities and vice versa; him being as talented as he is made us look better," Gallik recalled. "I'm going to miss looking down the field and seeing number 44 running down there, but we have a couple of young running backs that I'm really excited about."
Joining the a core of new and young running backs, came a new quarterback who is much more mobile than what the Eagles offensive line has blocked for in previous years. Tyler Murphy gives BC options at the line of scrimmage and an escape route on broken plays. Gallik insists that not much has changed for the blockers with Murphy at quarterback.
"Holding the blocks longer is always something Coach is hitting us on the head with because you never know when he'll be running right next to you or trying to make a play, Gallik said. "You don't want to be that guys that gives up on a play, so we're always finishing our blocks and doing whatever we can to make Tyler look good."
Gallik's efforts over the past three years has grabbed more than just local attention. In the spring 2013, he was named to the 2014 Rimington Trophy Watch List, which is presented annually to college football's premier center. Humble as always, Gallik gave all of the credit to his teammates and mentors.
"I think that I've been fortunate enough to be surrounded by a lot of good players. Last year I was among players who helped make me look really good because of their talent level. I think that when you have a lot of guys raising each other's talent levels, you raise the ceiling for the whole offensive line. I've always had older guys throughout the past take me under their wing and show me the way to play the O-line and that's been beneficial for me."
On top of the responsibility that comes with being a center and a fifth-year player, Gallik was also voted a captain for the 2014 season by his teammates. In his final season at BC, he hopes to play for an ACC Championship. He is striving to bring the Eagles back to the prestigious team that he was recruited to play for, one that was coming off of back-to-back ACC Championship games.
As his final season starts to unfold in front of his eyes, he knows that this is his last stand, his last chance to make a lasting impact on the field.
He has been patient and put in the work, starting from no experience to becoming one of the top centers in the country. No matter how this season turns out, Andy Gallik has left a lasting imprint on Boston College football.
