One thunderous career

When Joe Foley graduated from Newport Harbor High in 2002, he decided

to attend Wheaton College in Illinois to break away from his comfort

zone in Newport Beach.

Now, one game into his senior football season as a starting

defensive tackle for the Thunder, it turns out Foley simply traded

one comfort zone for another.

“I fell in love with the place,” Foley said of the Division III

school about a 20-minute drive west of Chicago. “I was looking at

schools like Azusa Pacific and Cal Lutheran, but I heard about

Wheaton from a friend. I liked how competitive the football program

was, I liked the idea of living in the Midwest and a lot of other

aspects of the school. It was the whole package.”

The 6-foot, 255-pound Foley helped the Thunder earn a

season-opening 23-16 win at Gustavus Adolphus Saturday in St. Peter,

Minn.

Foley, who earned playing time as a sophomore and junior after

being relegated to the scout team as a freshman, had four tackles,

including two solo stops Saturday. He was credited with 2.5 tackles

for loss as the Thunder rallied from a 16-9 deficit at the end of the

third quarter.

A former defensive tackle, tight end and fullback with the

Sailors, Foley continues to enjoy the benefits of playing in a

winning program.

“It’s a privileged time to be here,” Foley said. “We have won a

lot of games and the program is on the rise.”

Wheaton is now 33-5 since Foley arrived and has won at least a

share of the last three College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

championships. The school has advanced to the NCAA Division III

playoffs the last three seasons, including a trip to the second round

last fall.

“Mount Union has ended our season the last three years,’ Foley

said. “We want to change that this season.”

Foley’s junior season included some starting assignments, but a

high-ankle sprain, a problem that plagued him his senior year at

Newport Harbor, wound up either sidelining him or limiting his

effectiveness.

He did finish with 18 tackles and had one interception. He also

returned a fumble 6 yards for a touchdown.

“I was in the right place at the right time on the interception

and I got the scoop and score the week after that,” Foley said.

This season, Foley, who is light for a defensive lineman even at

the Division III level, said he wants to increase his production.

“I want to start being a playmaker and having a greater influence

on the game,” he said. “Whether that means making a sack or just

making a tackle in a clutch situations, I just really want to help my

team win. It’s like [Newport Harbor] Coach [Jeff] Brinkley said, it

all comes down to effort and intensity. I want to play with speed,

passion and all-our effort.”

Foley said the school’s emphasis on Christian values has continued

to positively influence his life.

He changed his major from business to biblical studies and he is

on pace to graduate in May. After graduation, he wants to return home

and continue volunteer ministry work with a local church. He said me

may even opt for a career in the ministry.

“My faith has had a big impact on me and I want to be a positive

influence on others,” Foley said. “I think my faith, and football,

too, led me to Wheaton. It has been a two-handed blessing.”

Foley said the biggest challenge of life at Wheaton is the harsh

Midwestern weather.

“We have a few guys from California on the team and when it starts

getting cold and snowing, we commiserate with one another,” Foley

said.

Foley , whose olders Steve and Shane also starred at Newport, said

his family has attended several of his collegiate games.

“I’m very fortunate they’ve been able to travel out to see me

play,” Foley said.