MARCH 2011 THE CURRIER TIMES 7

Kickin it in Holland
Alksninis headed to Amsterdam for all-star game in May
By Nick Ironside
Matt Alksninis is a football player, and he
doesnt want to be told otherwise.
Currys senior kicker/punter said his position
isnt well respected at the high school level. But
his skills didnt go unnoticed in college. After a
senior collegiate season in which the Mansfeld,
Mass., native hit every PAT attempt (35 for 35)
and averaged 42.2 yards per punt, Alksninis is
heading abroad in May to play in an all-star game
in Amsterdam, Holland. The 25-man American
team will consist of some of the top Division II
and III football players in New England.
Endicott College head football coach J.B.
Wells, whos leading the college contingent,
described Alksninis as extremely athletic, a guy
who could play wide receiver or defensive back.
Nonetheless, kicking is where Alksninis has
made a name, and, perhaps, a professional future,
for himself.
Before his travels abroad, Alksninis headed to
Arizona in late March to participate in a weeklong
evaluation workout for scouts from the CFL, AFL,
UFL and NFL. Hell then head to Atlanta, where
he will participate in a strict punting combine. If
he does well enough there, Alksninis said hell be
invited to a larger combine sponsored by the NFL.
After that, he will know where things stand
with professional football.
I think I have the work ethic, the dedication,
said Alskninis, an accounting major who played in
the NCAA Division III Senior Bowl in January. I
love the sport, I love getting better, I love learning.
I think in these next couple of weeks, when Ill
have the opportunity to go against the best kickers
and punters from across the countryall trying to
do the same thingIll feel like it will really put it
in perspective for me of where I stand. It will tell
me where Id have a chance of playing.
Until then, Alksninis said hell continue
working out, to get bigger, stronger and faster. I
want people to say, What position does that kid
play? Alksninis said. People will say a kicker
is not a real football player. Im a football player,
but I also can kick.
'There is defnitely a chip on my shoulder.
He averaged 38.6 yards per punt in his four-year
career at Curry, hitting 50 percent oI his feld goals
(20 for 40) and had 54 punts downed inside the
20-yard-line. His career-long punt was 66 yards.
In Holland, Alksninis and the New England
squad will join 25 players from Britain. Together,
theyll compete against the Amsterdam Panthers,
an American football team, in an exhibition. Its
a cultural experience, said Wells, the Endicott
head coach, who has a friend in Britain who helped
organize the game. Wells helped create this annual
game in May 2007. Since then, the different teams
have traveled to countries such as Ireland, England
and Canada.
Wells said Alksninis had long been at the top of
his list of potential players this year.
Matts a great athlete, Wells said. He was
always my No. 1 guy for this year.
&
R
X
U
W
H
V
\

R
I

&
X
U
U
\

$
W
K
O
H
W
L
F
V
The mens soccer team
traveled to Italy over spring
break, taking in the sights
while also playing some
futbol. The Colonels played
two games against Italian
semi-professional teams, and
went 1-1.
According to captain
Mike GriIfn, the experience
was eye-opening. All pizzas
are thin-crusted, bathrooms
typically feature bidets, coffee
doesnt come with milk
unless you specifcally order
it, and Italian women are very
attractive, he says.
In addition to eating,
gawking and playing ball,
the team toured Florence, the
Republic of San Marino and
much of Rome.
Senior Matt Alksninis is one of 25 New England college
players selected to play in an all-star game in Amsterdam.
Futbol Fever
Matt Alksninis was perfect in point-after attempts this past season, and nished
his college career with a punting average of 38.6 yards per kick.
C
o
u
r
t
e
s
y

P
h
o
t
o