Northwestern University Athletics
The Want-To Drive of Luis Castillo
9/21/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 21, 2004
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern head coach Randy Walker has a favorite phrase: "Want to." Athletes can have all the talent in the world, but they will not succeed without wanting to do so.
Senior defensive tackle Luis Castillo embodies that drive and desire, making himself a force on a veteran Wildcat defensive line. His work ethic is not a surprise, however, when considering the source.
"My mom came from a little village with no running water or electricity," Castillo says. "She made it to about a third-grade education level, but she has accomplished so much in her life because of her work ethic and how much she puts into everything."
Using the same attitude that drives his mom, Maria, Castillo has come from a high school lacking in tradition and found his own success on a bigger stage.
"I'm the first player to play Division I football from my high school in something like 27 years," Castillo says. "When I looked around on my high school team I didn't see too much talent sometimes, but then I get here and there are so many great players."
In fact, Garfield High was twice beaten by his NU teammate John Pickens' alma mater, Ramapo, and Castillo has heard plenty about it.
"The kid beats me in the state playoffs two years in a row, and then we get here and he is my roommate in college," Castillo laughs. "He comes in the first day and he's flashing that big state championship ring in my face. It was challenging dealing with that at first."
And it was just more of something Castillo probably did not need much more of: motivation. Thrown into the mix during his freshman season due to injuries, he made 22 tackles including four for loss. His sophomore season he led all defensive linemen with 84 tackles, but Walker knew there was more potential.
"Two years ago, he wasn't a very good football player," Walker said before this season. "You can keep taking it or you can do something about it. He did something about it."
What Castillo did was have his best campaign as a junior, culminating in earning the Motor City Bowl's United Auto Workers Lineman of the Game Award. It was more than just self-improvement that drove Castillo to get better--he felt he owed it to his teammates.
"One of my biggest things about my attitude is my responsibility to my team and to my defense," Castillo says. "The influence my mom has had on me is what inspires me to play football and give everything I have and be accountable on the field."
Not only is Castillo accountable on the field, but in the classroom and in the community as well. The economics major with a business institutions minor is a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree as well as a two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection. Last year he was also NU's Carnig Minasian Citizenship Award recipient.
This year, Castillo is a nominee for the National Football Foundation postgraduate scholarship as well as The Lott Trophy, a new award that honors the Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year Award. IMPACT, defined by this award, stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.
"It sounds like they created this award with Luis in mind," says Walker. "He truly has achieved in all of those areas."
Taking care of his business both on and off the field now has talk of an NFL career surrounding the senior. In some circles, he is being mentioned as a high-round draft pick. All of that talk could be distracting to a typical college athlete, but not someone with Castillo's attitude.
"It is hard with people trying to put these ideas in my mind," Castillo says. "I could easily lose track, but my biggest thing is to be out here with my teammates and have fun. It is good because it gives you a certain amount of confidence, but at the same time is something you kind of have to skirt around."
Before he begins to seriously look toward playing on Sundays, Castillo knows the opportunity is on the table to take advantage of all of his preparation.
"This team has been through so much with so many guys playing early," he says, "and to be able to go out there one last time and play together as seniors to give everything we have, there is so much hope for the future."
Hope not only for Northwestern, but through the "want to" of both himself and his mom, there also is plenty of "it" for Luis Castillo.
