Kreinsen Embraces Leading Role With Westfield State Football
November 6, 2013
By Marvin Pave
Boston Globe Correspondent
The Westfield State University football team had just suffered a one-point defeat in its season opener at Nichols, 28-27, in overtime. As senior captain, Joe Kreinsen immediately walked to the opposing sideline to shake hands.
"How you represent your team and your school - win or lose - is all about respect and love for the game,'' said Kreinsen, a Bay State Conference all-star in football and wrestling at Natick High.
Westfield, 4-4 overall (3-3) Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference), has lost its four games by a total of 12 points, including a two-point loss to first place Framingham State.
But Kreinsen, whose dream is to become a college football coach, said that it is his nature to remain positive and help
A starting offensive guard, the 6-foot-2, 240-pound Kreinsen has faced tougher, more personal challenges: His father, James, died of cancer during his first semester at Westfield.
"He was everything I strive to be,'' said Kreinsen, an only child. "My father was a positive influence who never drank, smoked, or swore. I knew that staying in school would be harder financially, so I've worked 55 hours a week when I'm home with a pool company, and at the Dairy Queen on Route 27.''
It was an extension of his hard work and determination to succeed on the gridiron and as a wrestling team MVP and captain at Natick High. "I was undersized as a lineman in high school, but I put in a lot of time in the weight room,'' said Kreinsen, "and I worked closely with our offensive line coach, Brian Moloney, who stressed technique and helped me become a complete player."
He still receives pointers from Moloney when the Natick squad holds offseason workouts. Kreinsen contributes as a volunteer.
As a senior, he helped power the Natick squad to the Bay State Conference's Herget Division title and advance to the Division 2 Super Bowl. He also placed third at the Division 2 state wrestling championships in the heavyweight class.
A starter since his freshman year at Westfield State, Kreinsen "goes 100 miles an hour every play,'' according to Owls offensive line coach Tom Bell.
Kreinsen, whose quickness creates space on sweeps and screens, usually takes on heavier foes across the line of scrimmage.
"So I try to never be outworked,'' he said. "I set a high standard for myself and always feel I have a lot to prove.''
The Owls' starting front includes junior Mike Calamare, a graduate of St. John's High in Shrewsbury. "We're all on the same page and we're very close - Mike, Wayne McGillicuddy, Eddie Fallon, and Kyle Seidnitzer,'' Kreinsen said. "The offensive linemen are like brothers, and my teammates are like family.''
Kreinsen has not ruled out returning to Westfield next year as an assistant coach while keeping the door open for other opportunities through the connections of Bell, who has coached at several colleges, including Yale, over six decades.