College football, almost more than any other sport, is rich with tradition; from the ringing of the victory bell at Washington State following a win for the Cougars, to the singing of “Bow Down to Washington” by the Husky faithful at a sporting event.

At Central, there are a few proud traditions, including Wellington’s Wildfire and the sounding of the General’s siren when the Wildcats score.

However, since 2008, Central’s football players have started to place their own paw print on the university’s sports traditions with the passing of jersey number 44 at the Crimson vs. White Spring football game.

The 44 jersey is awarded to “a defensive player that most exemplifies the standards of a Wildcat defender: dedication, toughness, discipline, and tenacity.”

The tradition has many different origin stories, from its connection to the movie, The Express based on Ernie Davis, to the story of an undersized player beating the odds. According to Utah State linebackers coach and former Central Assistant head coach and defensive coordinator, Joe Lorig, it started differently.

The tradition started after a trip to Montana where the Griz have a plaque and a tradition around their number 37.

“The number was chosen because it could be carried by so many different positions,” Lorig said. “ When you see that guy with the 44 you know who and where that guy is at all times.”

The first Wildcat bestowed with the honor was Mitch Reffett. The coaching staff at the time decided that Reffett would pass the number and responsibility that goes with it, to a player of his choosing. Reffett, a defensive lineman, wore the number 99 while he was a Wildcat.

“A little known fact is that in all the pictures you see Reffett’s 44 is air brushed on for looks in all the promotional stuff.” Coach John Picha said.

Coach Picha has been a part of program for 26 years and saw the start of the 44 tradition.

Reffett passed 44 to Buddy Wood, who would become one of the most accomplished Wildcats after winning the GNAC Defensive Player-of-the-Year in 2009.

Buddy Wood recorded 111 tackles in his senior year. During Wood’s senior year there were three players who would later receive the iconic jersey.

The number 44 carries a responsibility with it, and each player who has carried that jersey has risen to the challenge and lived up to expectation.

Adam Bighill, GNAC 2010 defensive Player-of-the Year, and two-time Canadian Football League Defensive All-Star wore the number 44 during his senior year at Central. He then carried his Wildcat pride on to the CFL and his team, the British Columbia Lions, where he still sports the number 44.

For six seasons the 44 jersey has graced the chest of a Wildcat Senior Defensive player, but nowhere was it required that the player had to be a senior. Stan Langlow, the 2013 recipient of the 44 jersey stepped away from the norm and gave the number to a player he felt best represented the standards of what a Wildcat should be.

The player he chose was Junior Linebacker Tovar Sanchez. Sanchez, twenty years old, has been living in the opposition’s backfield recording eight tackles for loss and five sacks in just four games. Sanchez’s game is based on speed and technique, frustrating slower offensive linemen on a regular basis.

Sanchez understands the responsibility and realizes the importance of 44.

“It’s an honor to wear this number and to be part of the tradition of the guys who came before me,” Sanchez said. “Just to be given an opportunity to wear it means a lot.”

Sanchez will most likely be the first Wildcat to wear the number for two consecutive years.

“Stan knew what he was doing when he passed it to Tovar,” Picha said. “He knew that Tovar would wear it with pride and hand it off when he left the program and I wouldn’t want Tovar to give it up until his time is done.”

“All the 44’s do a great job of picking the next one,” Coach Picha said. “In some cases the prior 44 knows that he’s giving it to a guy and helping him move to that next championship level.”

The 44 recipient doesn’t necessarily have to be the best player on the team, in some cases the player may not even be a starter.

“John Koopman is the perfect example of a guy that was a starter but injuries and changes to the style of play cut in to his time on the field,” Coach Picha said. “He was always the first in and last out and he never complained. I feel like he, more than others, represents what it is to be the 44.”

The 44 jersey is truly a representation of what it means to be a Wildcat.

“If you take a look at all the 44’s, with the exception of Langlow, every one of them came from a small school and worked their butt off to become the best they could be,” Coach Picha said.

The 44 should be held in the highest regards as a tradition at Central. It not only identifies the hard work of our athletes, but it truly identifies what it means to be ‘Central tough’; working hard to achieve no matter how big or small you are.