NATE HATALSKY MAKING HIS MARK AT UALBANY
Mechanicville native walks on and earns scholarship with Danes
ALBANY, N. Y. » There would be no bragging moment from Nate Hatalsky as he recounted an epic first- quarter, fourth down tackle that left Devell Jones on the ground below his feet and the crowd gasping in shock and amazement.
But that didn’t mean the red shirt-senior linebacker didn’t want to boast. As he was asked to recount the moment, a big smile crept across his face even though his answer was more tepid.
“I just made my read,” Hatalsky said. “I just came off a block and he just happened to be there.”
Hatalsky makes an impressive play sound so easy. For a guy from a small football high school in Mechanicville to injuries to walking on at UAl bany, nothing has come easy. But in his final season, and his first season as a starter, Hatalsky is becoming the most prominent defender.
Hatalsky led the Great Danes with 15 tackles in its 28- 14, homeopening win against Monmouth on Saturday night. He had 1.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks for five yards. He continuously had important tackles and read the field well. It was less than a month ago that he was put on full scholarship, and he’s showing how smart a decision that was.
“He’s been unbelievable, it’s like a dream,” head coach Greg Gattuso said after the win. “I was one of the guys that didn’t know if he could do it, to be honest with you... He’s always been a guy we trusted a lot, but he’s out there performing at a high level.”
Hatalsky has been the team’s leading tackler. When training camp started, there was a lot of uncertainty at the position as all three starters from last year had graduated. But Hatalsky, who had been on a partial scholarship for a couple years, set himself apart.
At the end of camp, Gattuso called him into his office to let him know that he’d be a full scholarship player. It was no surprise when the head coach announced it to the whole teamat a function not long after that.
“When something like that happens, where a kid
is such a great kid like Nate Hatalsky, and he’s out there living the dream right now,” Gattuso said. “That’s a good feeling for a coach.”
There were about 30 family members in attendance for Hatalsky, and 60 people from Mechanicville overall to support him. He’s played in a UAlbany uniform before — nine games each of the last two years.
But this is his first time starting. This is his first time being the guy. On Saturday, he played in front of more than 6,000, almost all of whom took quick notice as he laid out the opponent in the first quarter, just after he stuffed up the run on a third down.
Hatalsky might only have one season tomake an impact, and one season to get a scholarship, but he’ll make the most of it.
“Coming in, every game, I’m just like wow. It’s a big crowd,” Hatalsky said. “I went to Mechanicville. I graduated with 95 people. Wasn’t playing in front of that big crowds. But my whole town, they’re all supporting. It’s pretty cool, this stage is pretty big.”
Hatalsky might only have one season to make an impact, and one season toget a scholarship, but he’ll make themost of it.