The DePauw football team will sorely miss one vital piece heading into NCAC play next season, 6'2" 283 lb. senior Lewis Brown. A four-year starter on the offensive line, Brown won D3Football.com's first-team, all-North Region honors for the 2011 season. Last year, Brown earned a spot on the all-American team, an accolade he is likely to pick up again this season. The DePauw sat down with Lewis to talk about his career, favorite memories and the future of DePauw football.
Q: Can you summarize your career at DePauw and your interaction with your teammates?
Lewis: It's been a great four years. It's sad looking around at all the guys, especially at the seniors that I won't be able to play with anymore. I think that's what makes this team special. It wasn't the school or the Monon Bell that made me come all the way from California to this school. It was meeting the guys and seeing how they interacted with each other that really drew me here. I couldn't ask for anything else the last four years.
Q: What are your favorite memories playing football at DePauw?
Lewis: One that sticks out is winning the Monon Bell Classic my freshman year. Another memory is clinching the first ever SCAC championship for DePauw my sophomore year. On a personal level, being named captain [senior year] is something that tells you that your teammates really think highly of you. Knowing that my teammates think that highly of me to be one of the leaders on the team is something I won't forget.
Q: You were an All-American last year. This year, already named all-North Region first team with more awards to come. You are going to go down as probably the best offensive lineman in DePauw history. What are your thoughts about that?
Lewis: I've never really thought about that. Awards aren't things that come around too much as an offensive lineman and getting all the recognition is hard to describe. I'm not used to it, because I didn't get all of these awards in high school. But, contributing all four years here and having people know about me outside of DePauw is special.
Q: What's the direction that DePauw football is moving towards and what is your message to the team going into next season?
Lewis: The team will get better. This was a transition year with the new offensive coordinator. The message I would give to the team is just don't ever stop. There are a lot of guys who after freshman and sophomore year don't get a lot of playing time because they just don't think it's worth it to put in the time. Stick with it and work hard. What makes the difference is having a team that fights and pushes each other trying to get that playing time.
Q: Finally, can you talk about one of your most personal relationships you had with center and fellow senior Mitch Turnbow? You two played all four years together and were some of the most experienced players on the team this season.
Lewis: Mitch and I have had a great relationship for four years. Freshman year we didn't know each other coming in. Our first road trip, Mitch and I sat together and neither of us were small beings, so that was a fun road trip. Mitch is a great guy, and I wouldn't want to have anybody else next to me on the line. Over the years we have developed a relationship where he and I know where we are going to be. I know he has my back. People like Mitch that you meet makes the college experience better.
Lewis Brown will play in Salem, Va. on Friday, Dec. 9 in the NCAA Div. III Football Senior Classic. Lewis will represent the South Region squad and is the only senior from DePauw participating in the game. The game is set for 7 p.m. kickoff and will be broadcasted on the Fox College Sports Network.