Shelby's Tanner Hartz headed to Heidelberg University for football
In an energy-filled ceremony at Shelby High School, Tanner Hartz, a notable multisport athlete, signed his national letter of intent to play football at Heidelberg University.
“Thanks, everyone, for coming,” he told those in attendance at the April 12 signing ceremony in the Shelby gymnasium where family, friends, coaches, and teammates gathered.
“Thanks for all the support for the last four years,” Hartz said.
“Go Berg!” he added in a shoutout to his college choice.
Hartz, who played a key role in the school’s basketball team reaching the Final Four and also is on the Whippets’ varsity baseball team, will join Heidelberg’s football team later this year.
“I’ll be playing safety on the defensive side,” Hartz said in an interview after the ceremony.
His decision was influenced by his familial ties to Heidelberg in Tiffin. His older brother, 2020 Shelby High grad Zack Hartz, played college football on the Heidelberg offensive line as a center.
“My brother went there for four years. He went and played, so I’ve been around there for a really long time,” Tanner Hartz said, also noting the support of their parents, Marc and Beth Hartz and Heidelberg being close
to home.
“I’m really proud of him,” Marc Hartz said of Tanner getting the chance to play college football.
“It’s really cool for him to commit and go play at the next level... It’s tough. My oldest son did it. It’s a grind for four more years. It’s really cool that he was offered to play there,” Marc Hartz said.
Beth Hartz said: “I’m super proud. It’s just amazing that he’s worked this hard to get to where he is.”
Tanner Hartz also shared his excitement about the environment at Heidelberg, likening it to his hometown.
“It’s kind of like another town like Shelby where you got a bunch of community guys that just want to go watch football,” Hartz described. “Just the bond that they have on the football team is unbelievable. Just going there and watching Zack play, it meant really a lot.”
Hartz excelled on the football field for Shelby, where he was a three-year letter-winner. His honors included honorable mention from the North Central Ohio Football Coaches Association this past football season.
His style of play promises to be an asset to the
Heidelberg Student Princes.
“I’m just there to go downhill, make tackles, fill the gaps. I’m going to talk a little (trash) too,” he added. “That’s just here and there. That’s just who I am. I’m just a hard-nosed guy. I just want to go make tackles and help the team out any way that I can.”
Hartz expressed his gratitude toward those who have supported him throughout his journey.
“I want to thank everyone that came” to the signing ceremony, he said. “It truly meant a lot. Just the community and all my friends that came and supported me, all my family friends coming out, meant a lot. And just seeing all of the coaches and everything. That meant a lot.”
In terms of academics, he is considering a major in early education, with an alternative interest in criminology.
“I want to be either a kindergarten or first grade teacher. If I don’t end up liking that, maybe criminology,” he said, outlining his educational aspirations.
The event also featured remarks from Shelby High School athletic director Pat Lewis, who offered introductory remarks.
“It’s a pretty incredible experience when you have an opportunity like Tanner is going to have to go on to play college athletics,” Lewis said.
“We’ve had several good athletes go on and really have some success at Heidelberg. And I’m confident Tanner’s going to follow that path as well,” Lewis stated, highlighting Shelby’s history of developing talented individuals who move on to the college *level.