Versatile [vur-suh-tul]: having or capable of many uses. In other words: Corey Welch.
This senior wide receiver for the Eastern Michigan University football team has proved over the years he can be used to do more than just make a few receptions here and there. In fact, it’s safe to say he is the most versatile player on the Eagles roster.
Welch, an Akron, Ohio native, grew up around football and has padded up since as early as third grade. The sport ran in his family and became more of a tradition. His grandfather, Harry Welch, played football at the University of Southern California and was on the 1953 Rose Bowl championship team. His father, Jeff, was also a collegiate football player who played at Clarion University (Pa.).
Growing up, football was not the only sport Welch found himself involved in. In high school, he was a four-year letter winner in wrestling and track, while also earning three letters in football.
After his senior season, Welch was named first-team All-League and second-team All-State in football, while also earning first-team All-State in wrestling — not to
mention the All-Northeast Region track team.
With three different sports to choose from, you might wonder why football stood out in the heart and mind of Welch. For him, it’s all about the tradition and team nature of
football.
“I like the camaraderie, you’re working out with your friends all day,” he said. “It’s just one of those things, every Saturday you get together; it’s like you’re playing for one another — almost like a family.”
Upon graduating from Green High School with academic honors — a member of the academic honor roll for four years — it came time for Welch to make a decision on where he would continue his studies. EMU made the final cut for its perfect distance from home.
“It’s far enough away from home that my parents can’t just stop in but it’s close enough that they can come to every game,” he said.
Since the start of his career with EMU, Welch has played in 38 games. He has rushed
117 times for a total of 503 yards for four touchdowns to go with 22 receptions for 131 yards. But it doesn’t end there; Welch also has 71 kickoff returns for 1,509 yards.
Just about everyone on campus has at least one thing he or she loves about EMU. For Welch, it’s his teammates, or as he calls them, his brothers.
“I just like how close we are with one another,” he said. “I feel like our whole team is really close like a family, more like brothers than anything and I like that aspect of it.”
When football season runs its course, the snow falls and the temperature outside drops below the freezing line, Welch has another hobby to keep himself busy. Aside from playing X-box, he said he likes to go snowboarding.
