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Univ. of Kentucky punter Sevin Sucurovic to Receive 2004 Inspirational Award
Dec 12, 2004
Author: Sam Joffray
University of Kentucky senior punter Sevin Sucurovic has been chosen as the winner of the 2004 Wyndham New Orleans Bowl Inspirational Award, and will be presented with the award at this year's luncheon. The annual award is presented to a football student-athlete from a Division I-A school that has achieved academic and intercollegiate success and demonstrated superior perseverance. Nominees must have overcome physical and/or emotional hardship directly or indirectly through immediate family members. Nominees also must show leadership on their team, on campus, and within their conference. Sucurovic's story, which takes him from war torn Tuzla, Boznia to a degree in Kinesiology from the University of Kentucky, commanded the attention of bowl officials, and Sevin was selected as this year's recipient with no hesitation. Wyndham New Orleans Bowl Executive Director, Ron Maestri, will make the presentation of the award, "Personally, physically, and financially, Sevin hasn't had the easiest road. But yet through an unimaginable number of hardships, injuries, and obstacle after obstacle, here he is today. Sevin represents everything we set out to recognize when we created this award two years ago."

Sucurovic (pronounced “su-CUR-o-vich”) is the third recipient of the Inspirational Award. Previous honorees include San Jose State University's Neil Parry (2002) and Misissippi State Freshman defensive lineman Deljuan Robinson (2003). Sucurovic's complete story, courtesy of the University of Kentucky, follows this release.

For more information on this event or any official Wyndham New Orleans Bowl events, please contact Sam Joffray, Director of Communications, at 504-234-3207. sjoffray@gnosf.org



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University of Kentucky senior punter Sevin Sucurovic has been chosen as the winner of the 2004 Wyndham New Orleans Bowl Inspirational Award.

Sucurovic’s achievements are remarkable in their own right; however, understanding the distance he has traveled – both literally and figuratively – makes the accomplishments even more amazing.

Sucurovic grew up in the rural area of Tuzla, Bosnia, and was nine years old when war began. He remembers sleeping in four pairs of pants and three or four jackets in order to have extra clothes in case his family had to leave the house quickly because of danger.

Sucurovic’s family moved to another village while his father was fighting in the war. Sevin’s school was five miles away and he had to walk a 10-mile round trip each day, wondering if he would make it safely. After approximately six years, the war officially ended, although sporadic fighting continued.

The devastation caused by the war brought on a struggling economy and high unemployment rate. The Sucurovic family decided to move to Boston, Massachusetts, and join other family members there.

After considerable time going through government red tape and getting the necessary money, the Sucurovics moved to the United States in 1998 – four people, three suitcases, and ,000 in hand from selling all of the family’s possessions. Sevin was 16 years old. Six months later, the family relocated to Lexington, Ky., where some friends had found employment.

In Lexington, Sevin’s father Osman worked at two, or sometimes three, jobs. Sevin’s mother, Naila, also held down two jobs and Sevin worked at Kroger when he wasn’t attending classes as a junior at Henry Clay High School.

Fate intervened at Henry Clay. Sucurovic’s class in physical education, taught by football coach Sam Simpson, was kicking footballs. Sevin had never seen an American football game, but having played soccer as a child, he impressed Simpson with his ability to kick the ball. Simpson asked Sevin to join the football team and compete for the kicker’s job.

Fate intervened again, however, and this time unkindly. Walking home from practice one day, Sevin was hit by a jeep and sustained two broken bones in his neck.

Sevin eventually recovered from his injuries, but he was out for the season. He returned to the football field as a senior in 1999. He performed well as a kicker and was named second-team all-city by the Lexington Herald-Leader.

After graduation, Sucurovic enrolled at UK and made the football team as a walk-on kicker. His perseverance was tested again. He saw limited action for three years as a placekicker with the varsity and junior varsity teams, including one redshirt season. He switched to punter as a junior in 2003 and earned a scholarship before finally becoming the full-time starting punter during his senior season.

Sucurovic averaged 43.9 yards per punt in 2004, the fourth-highest single-season mark in school history. He has the top average in the Southeastern Conference this year, but does not qualify for official league leadership because he did not participate in enough games.

Sucurovic had been in the United States only two years when he enrolled at UK. Although he was still learning the nuances of the English language, he succeeded in the classroom and graduated with a degree in kinesiology. UK Athletics inducted Sucurovic into the Frank G. Ham Society of Character, which is given for exceptional commitment to academic excellence, athletic participation, personal development, being a role model, and career preparation.

“There are so many people who have helped me,” Sucurovic said. “One person who did a lot was my dad. If it weren’t for him, we wouldn’t have been able to come here.

“Ekrem Dzambic was the person in Boston who helped us get to the United States and Bekrija Kurahovic helped us move to Kentucky. One of the big influences on me was Coach Simpson at Henry Clay. He really helped me and if it weren’t for him I wouldn’t have gotten involved in sports. Also, Coach Len Cox at Henry Clay. And, of course, the entire staff in CATS (UK’s Center for Academic and Tutorial Services), because I was really struggling (in school) when I came to UK.”

Going from Bosnia to a new country, from his native language to English, and from a hospital bed to the football field, Sucurovic has shown perseverance – and succeeded – over and over.

“Growing up, I always dreamed about playing college and pro sports but there were so few opportunities in Bosnia,” Sucurovic said. “I was motivated by the opportunities in the United States. Plus, nobody in my family has earned a college degree. I wanted to be the first one.”

“Sevin has made such a positive impact on us,” Coach Rich Brooks said. “He is an example of the real student-athlete. We have been impressed with his mastery of English and becoming acclimated to American culture, overcoming many hurdles to reach his educational and social goals. As a punter, he has a powerful leg and the potential to be considered for the professional ranks. He is going to be a huge success in life and is very deserving of this award.”

“I would like to thank the people at the New Orleans Bowl. It feels great that they would pick me,” Sucurovic said. “It is very special to win this award after the things I’ve gone through.”

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