On campus, he has a different role.
“I’m the 27-year-old junior,’’ said Shinskie with a laugh. “They know who I am.’’
When Shinskie arrived at BC three summers ago, he had a different role. First-year head coach Frank Spaziani looked at a roster that didn’t have one quarterback with college experience. Shinskie was 25 and a veteran, a football version of Crash Davis who had never made it to The Show after six seasons.
He wanted something different and he wanted an education. BC provided both - the hard way. He got battered and bruised during his on-the-job training, and by the third game of last season, Spaziani decided to look toward the future through a younger prism. He went to Rettig, a true freshman.
(In what would have been Shinskie’s freshman year, 2003, Rettig was in fifth grade.)
Shinskie adjusted, as he has with many things in his life.
“My mind-set is that I’m one play away [from being the starter again],’’ he said. “That’s how I handle it. But I’m a team player. I always have been. I love the thrill of the game, even if I’m not playing.’’
Shinskie didn’t sulk when he was demoted. He didn’t withdraw into a shell.
“I’m an enthusiastic guy,’’ said Shinskie. “Enthusiasm is contagious. I try and get guys pumped up, even if I’m not playing. I like to think of myself as one of the guys that people can turn to, be a role model on the team. I’m a BC guy.’’
In high school in Pennsylvania, Shinskie was a four-year starter, an all-state quarterback who had led his team to a 41-6 record and thrown for 6,334 yards. In his senior season, he threw for 2,524 yards and 26 touchdowns.
“I came out and it was the year of the quarterback,’’ said Shinskie. “It was Drew Tate, Brady Quinn, JaMarcus Russell, it was Joe Flacco. I think Matt Ryan came out in that year.
“I was going to Delaware. I had a chance to go to Michigan, Michigan State, Iowa, or Indiana. I chose Delaware because that was the best spot for me and they were going to let me play baseball.’’
