Heidelberg University linebacker Andy Sieving wanted to soak in every sun-drenched moment after Saturday’s 69-52 win over previously unbeaten Ohio Northern.
The chiseled 6-foot-2, 220-pound senior chatted with friends and family, shared a few laughs with teammates and posed for photos with fans before finally exiting Mayer Field and slowly making his way back to the locker room.
For the 26-year-old Sieving, who put a promising football career on hold to serve his country and wound up on the front lines of the War on Terror, every moment on the field is a blessing.
“I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to play again,” said Sieving, who had a sack and forced a fumble Saturday. “It’s not something I take for granted anymore.
“My outlook on life has changed.”
After graduating from Crestline High School in the spring of 2007, Sieving headed to Heidelberg for his freshman season and by all accounts, his career got off to a favorable start. Sieving played in six games as the Student Princes snapped an ugly 36-game losing streak under first-year head coach Mike Hallett. Heidelberg went 4-6 with a win over nationally-ranked Baldwin Wallace.
“We were really excited to have Andy,” said Hallett, now in his eighth season. “He came in and contributed right away.
“We were going to get this thing turned around and Andy was a part of our plan.”
The plan changed, however, when Sieving transferred to Ashland University before the start of his sophomore year. He joined the Army National Guard and was assigned to Echo Company, 237th Brigade Support Battalion, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, based in Lima.
“I always knew that I would eventually go in,” Sieving said. “My grandfather was in the Guard and I just felt like it was the right time.”
The 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team received an alert order in May of 2010. It was mobilized in 2011 and deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Sieving’s tour of duty lasted nine months.
“I’m not allowed to say where we were sent, but our unit was attached to infantry,” said Sieving, a communications security specialist. “You were always a little nervous, especially when you were on patrol.
“It could be kind of scary when you left the base.”
Adjusting to a foreign culture presented a challenge.
“Coming from where I came from, it was a shock,” Sieving said. “It was difficult to communicate. The houses were made out of mud. Culturally, we weren’t supposed to look at women.
“It was a different world.”
Sieving returned home in September of 2012. Transitioning back to civilian life wasn’t easy.
“When I first got back, it was hard to adjust,” Sieving said. “It was especially bad when I was around big crowds of people. We were trained to avoid those situations when we were in Afghanistan.”
With two years of college eligibility remaining, Sieving decided to return to Heidelberg in the fall of 2013 to resume his football career and pursue a degree in health sciences. He was welcomed with open arms.
“You hear stories about combat veterans and (post traumatic stress disorder) but Andy seemed fine,” defensive coordinator Scott Donaldson said. “If he had any problems adjusting to home life, we didn’t notice it and we were looking for it.
“If anything, Andy seemed more sure of himself. He had matured.”
Hallett agreed.
“Most of our kids are straight out of high school and they are playing college football within an hour or two of their hometowns,” Hallett said. “Andy has been around the world. He has life experiences that most of our young guys don’t have and may never have.”
Sieving appeared in all 10 games for Heidelberg last fall. He had 26 tackles and ranked among team leaders with six sacks.
“Football really helped me adjust back to my normal life,” Sieving said. “It helped to be a part of something bigger than myself.”
In three games this season, Sieving has three tackles, a sack and a forced fumble. He rarely left the field in last week’s win, serving on the Student Princes’ kickoff coverage and PAT teams.
“Andy brings an intensity you just can’t match,” Donaldson said. “As a defensive coordinator, you want to have a guy like that who brings a different level of aggression.”
Donaldson said Sieving doesn’t talk much about his time in Afghanistan. His teammates and coaches don’t pry.
“We respect his privacy,” Donaldson said.
The Student Princes are 2-1 on the season after a Week 2 loss to nationally-ranked John Carroll and play at Otterbein (2-1) on Saturday. Heidelberg plays at No. 3 Mount Union (3-0) on Sept. 18 and a second loss would put a trip to the playoffs in serious jeopardy.
No matter what happens, Hallett knows he can count on Sieving.
“I can tell you this much,” Hallett said, “Andy has experienced a lot tougher things in his life than fourth down.”
