Tulsa World: Up close: TU's George Clinkscale

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Up close: TU's George Clinkscale

TU's George Clinkscale chases down SMU's Kyle Padron on Oct. 31 in Tulsa. Stephen Pingry / Tulsa World

By MIKE BROWN World Sports Writer
Published: 11/24/2009 2:21 AM
Last Modified: 11/24/2009 6:49 AM

George Clinkscale saw it coming. But the University of Tulsa linebacker admits it's a different feeling when Senior Day is right around the corner.

"You think about it at the beginning of the year, and as it gets closer, it kind of opens your eyes and you realize it's coming to an end," he said. "You've been playing football since you were a little kid, and now your college career is about over. Nobody's promised football after this."

TU has won a conference title, three bowl games and 42 games overall since Clinkscale joined the program from Cedar Hill, Texas, in 2005. He has 125 career tackles, including 17 1/2 behind the line.

Clinkscale will play his 53rd and final college game Friday when the Hurricane hosts Memphis to end the 2009 season.

What are you expecting from Friday's game?

It'll be emotional and intense. We've always won on Senior Day. Our seniors always play outstanding. Some of our best performances always come on Senior Day.

Do you have your degree?

I graduated last May in exercise sports science.

If not football, what do you want to do next?

I'm thinking about becoming a strength coach. That's kind of been my thing, working out and lifting weights. I was a power lifter in high school and it carried over to when I got here with (TU strength coach Shawn Griswold). If I couldn't play sports, I could still be around football by training other athletes. I spent a lot of time with coach Griz. I did an internship with him during the spring semester. I've learned a lot from him.

Mike Bryan and Tanner Antle have been your partners at linebacker for two years. How do you describe your relationship with them?

It's kind of fun. We have a different type of relationship. Mike and Tanner are more on the country side and I'm more of a city boy. We're talking two different sides of the world. My first time seeing a live cow outside of a zoo was when I got to Oklahoma. I'm just not into the same stuff they're into. Mike was supposed to take me hunting with him, but I never could get up that early, just to go sit in a tree. But I love 'em like brothers. We've been battling together for two years.

What is your favorite TU football moment?

That would be my first game in 2005. We played Minnesota, and even though we lost, I just remember coming down the ramp and all those people. Coming from my high school, you're used to playing in front of three or four or five thousand people. This was when we still had the ramp. I walked down there, and there were thousands of people screaming and it was kind of amazing. I remember it to this day.

Who is the most amazing football player you've known?

I would have to say (TU senior strong safety) James Lockett, who came here out of high school and really got to play only two years, and then having the impact he's had. People might say he's undersized. They can say whatever they want, but when Saturday comes and the lights come on, he makes plays all over the field.

FAST FACTS

Position: Defensive end

Class: Senior

Height: 6-0

Weight: 238

Hometown: Cedar hill, Texas

Mike Brown 581-8390
mike.brown@tulsaworld.com By MIKE BROWN World Sports Writer

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KYCane, Crestwood (11/24/2009 9:12:53 AM)

You'll go far with that positive attitude, George. Well Done. Thanks! GO TU!

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