It must be in genes for NA players
Three stars’ dads played in the NFL
Mika Logan, Kayla Dinkins and Avery Tuman have three things in common.
All three have a father who played in the NFL. All three watched their dad play in the Super Bowl. And all three are starters on the North Allegheny High School girls volleyball team that won the WPIAL Class 4A title Saturday at Baldwin High School.
Logan is the daughter of McKeesport and West Virginia graduate Mike Logan, who spent 10 years in the NFL, including six with the Steelers. He played in the 2006 Super Bowl for the Steelers.
“I was very young when dad played in the Super Bowl,” said Mika Logan, a senior right-side hitter. “It wasvery exciting.”
Logan has found that having a father as a pro football playercan be challenging.
“People are always asking me about my dad and what it’s like to have a dad who was an NFL player,” she said. “It can be difficult to make a name for yourself. It’s a challenge to stand out.”
Logan took a step toward thatwith this WPIAL title.
“Winning the title was incredible,” she said. “I’m not sure if I can top what he was able to accomplish in his career, but I’m taking little steps in that direction.”
Dinkins is the daughter of former Schenley and Pitt graduate Darnell Dinkins, who played eight seasons in the NFL for four teams. He was a member of the New Orleans Saints when they won the Super Bowl title in 2009.
“We lived in a few different cities while dad was playing, but that stopped when I got to fourth grade,” said Dinkins, a senior middle hitter. “It was a lot of fun watching him play in the Super Bowl.”
Dinkins also has a lot of people asking about her dad, but takes it in stride.
“I don’t mind having people ask about dad. It’s very comforting to have other players on the team who have a dad who is so well-known.”
Dinkins was voted to the second team of the WPIAL Class 4A All-Star team last year.
“It was absolutely amazing to win the WPIAL title,” she said. “It’s so much different than watching my dad win in the Super Bowl. It’s so different when it happens to you.”
Tuman is the daughter of Jerame Tuman, who had a 10-year career in the NFL, including nine with the Steelers. Her mother, Molly, was a member of the United States Olympic volleyball team and serves as an assistant coach at North Allegheny.
She is the oldest of four Tuman siblings who play volleyball. Her brother, Canyon, is a member of North Allegheny’s boys volleyball team. Her sister, Makenna, is a freshman on the JV team, and sister, Mia, a seventh grader, is on the middleschool team.
“Over the years, dad has given me various tips on how to train and to be more aggressive,” Tuman said. “Mom’s guidance has also beenvery helpful.”
Tuman watched her dad playin the 2006 Super Bowl.
“It was really cool to see the Steelers in the Super Bowl,” she said. “Winning a WPIAL title may not be the same thing, but now I know what it feels like to be a champion. It’s the biggest accomplishment in my career.”
North Allegheny coach Heidi Miller has invited the fathers to their annual teambuilding retreat the past two years.
“They share stories about how hard it can be while playing a sport,” Mika Logan said. “They stress the importance of commitment, playing as a team and not taking anybody for granted. They also talked about the bonds you have with other players on your team and how those bonds will last a lifetime. We all enjoyed listening to them talk.”
Logan has accepted a scholarship to Eastern Kentucky. Dinkins committed to Tulane. Tuman also plans to play in college, but has another year to make her decision.
“Our next goal is to win a PIAA title,” Kayla Dinkins said. “If we keep playing the way we have all season, we have a good chance of making it to the finals.”
Logan, Dinkins and the Tuman sisters are joined by two other North Allegheny girls volleyball players who have a father who played pro sports. Paige Morningstar, a member of the varsity, is the daughter of Pitt grad Darren Morningstar, who played in the NBA for one year. Ellie Smith, daughter of former Steelers defensive lineman Aaron Smith, is a member of the junior varsity.
North Allegheny began its trek toward a PIAA title with a 3-0 win Tuesday against Cumberland Valley, the District 3 thirdplace finisher. The Tigers next will face Seneca Valley, the WPIAL’s thirdplace finisher and a 3-0 winner Tuesday against State College.