Freshman kicker Drew Bevelhimer kicks a field goal during a Butler football game against University of San Diego. Photo by Jimmy Lafakis.
JOSHUA DOERING | STAFF REPORTER | jdoering@butler.edu
First year Drew Bevelhimer stepped up to fill the hole after four-year starter Jonathan Treloar’s graduation left the Butler University football team in need of a kicker.
The Indianapolis native attended Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School. He started his kicking career in middle school, never missing an extra point as a member of the Brebeuf Jesuit varsity team. His rationale for becoming a kicker used loophole logic.
“My parents wouldn’t let me play football because I was playing soccer too, so the way I could get on the field was be a kicker,” Bevelhimer said.
The close proximity of Butler to his home and the atmosphere of the team were key factors in Bevelhimer’s choice to become a Bulldog.
“I really liked all the players,” he said. “It really feels like a family. It also gives me the opportunity to have my parents still come to my games. It’s a perfect place for me.”
After missing two of his three extra point attempts in the season opener against the Indiana State Sycamores, Bevelhimer rebounded well. He connected on all 15 of the extra points he kicked in the team’s next four games, and has made six of his eight field goal attempts so far this season, including a 47-yarder against Franklin College.
Bevelhimer said he tries not to think about anything when preparing for a kick. He said his focus is on remaining calm no matter what may be going on around him, and his goal is to maintain an even-keeled temperament, regardless of what happens when the football leaves his foot.
“You’re gonna make some big kicks, you’re gonna miss a couple every now and again too,” Bevelhimer said. “You’ve gotta stay relaxed. You’ve gotta have fun with it.”
The mental side of being a kicker has been a focus of the coaching staff as they work with Bevelhimer.
“The number one thing is the mental toughness to play the play and not let the situation affect your mechanics,” football’s head coach Jeff Voris said. “The mental state is critical to being able to do the physical task of kicking.”
Though he is only a handful of games into his collegiate career, Voris and the other coaches have been pleased by what they have seen from Bevelhimer so far. They point to his work ethic as a major reason for the improvement he has already made.
“I think he’s improved immensely since he’s been here,” assistant head coach Joe Cheshire said. “He has the work ethic, he has a great leg and he’s accurate. Those are really what we look for and Drew possess those things. He’s done a great job kicking field goals for us so far. We’re looking for continued success from him.”
Bevelhimer’s next opportunity to kick will be on Saturday at 1 p.m. when he and the rest of the football team take on Marist at the Butler Bowl as part of homecoming festivities.
