The Heart Of A Champion!
BY: JCFN Mission Correspondent, Mission Mark (JCFN Exclusive)
#90 Travis Bass
L.A. Valley College
Sophomore
Defensive End
6'1"
245 lbs
TRAVIS BASS HIGHLIGHTS
à Cape Coral High School (Florida) graduate
à A three position player (RB, LB, DE)
à First Team All-Conference and All-County
à A three sport athlete (Track, Basketball, Football)
à WSC First Team Selection in 2001
à First in WSC with 15 sacks in 2001
à 10 sacks in 2002 through 9 games
Travis Bass has been dominant on the gridiron for the Monarchs of Los Angeles Valley College since his arrival last season. He is a very physical player with linebacker size and running back speed, who can hit a gap or shed a block. Through two season now, this product from the east coast has tallied an incredible 25 sacks on opposing quarterbacks. This season alone through 10 games Bass has accumulated 36 tackles, 9 tackles for a loss, 23 quarterback hurries, 14 QB sacks, 2 batted balls, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery for a touchdown. Not bad for a guy some say is outsized at times.
Though he may indeed be outsized, Bass has never been overmatched! His success can perhaps be best attributed to his Warrior mentality and the mere fact that he just won’t quit. Thus his drive for attaining his goals surfaced when he was awarded First Team All-Western State Conference last season.
His success began back home in Cape Coral, Florida. Travis became a very well rounded three-sport athlete at Cape Coral High School participating in football, basketball and track. On the football team in both his junior and senior seasons, became a first team all-conference selection playing three different positions (RB, LB & DE).
Upon the completion of high school Travis made the decision to leave the game for various reasons. He immediately went to work with his father to figure out what he wanted to do with his life, and it was while on this journey that the answer came to him some two years later…Play football again!
After hearing some great things about Los Angeles Valley College from a friend who was a former player, Travis decided to travel across the county to take a chance on playing the game he loved once again. This decision was not easy to make but became better after talking with Coach Ponciano. “He is a great coach,” says Bass. “He is the best coach I have ever been involved with hands down!”
Since his arrival to Valley, Travis has been Mr. Everything to this team. He not only has rewritten the manual on how to pressure opposing quarterbacks, but also has shown everyone what a true champion is all about with his conduct on and of the field as well as leadership provided for teammates. Yet with all that has been accomplished on the field, Travis still has other goals to fulfill. "My number one priority while I am in college is earning my degree," says Bass. Part of that goal has been accomplished with an AA degree that has been earned already.
Up next for Bass is finding a place to further his education as well as his career in football. There have been offers from several universities, but Travis is waiting for that perfect opportunity to arise.
Bass is indeed a goal setter and controls his life with three simple objectives; be a good person, a good student, and a good football player. He is a fantastic individual with tremendous focus and he should have no problem rising to the top in whatever he chooses to do. Success will always be in reach for him because he sets goals and will always look to accomplish those goals in full. This young man will indeed succeed, for he truly has the heart of a champion.
FUN FACTS ON TRAVIS BASS
Favorite Music: R & B, Rap
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite Number: 17
Favorite Place to Eat: Benihannas
Favorite NFL Team: Atlanta Falcons
Favorite Athlete: Michael Vick
40 Time: 4.5
Bench: 425 lbs
Squat: 600 lbs
Grad Year: December Grad of 2002
Major: Liberal Arts
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