INDIAN RIVER – Aidan Fenstermaker’s dream to play college football started a long time ago.
From strapping on the shoulder pads in his youth playing days to starring for the Inland Lakes High School football program in recent years, the next level has always been the goal. Now, the I-L senior will get his chance after verbally committing to Alma College during a visit last week.
“The place really felt like home,” Fenstermaker said of Alma. “We talked to many people and not one of them had a bad thing to say about Alma. It really had an Indian River-type vibe to it, and I just loved that about it. That really sparked my decision.”
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Just a few weeks ago, Fenstermaker got in touch with Alma coach Scott Cole, who invited him on campus for a visit. During the visit, Fenstermaker loved what he saw and wanted to join.
“They really care for the students,” Fenstermaker said. “They said it 100 times about how much they help the athletes and how much they’ll push you to get your work done, go to class, be on time. It’s a small college, it’s not a giant college, you’re not just a number there. Everybody knows everybody.”
Fenstermaker’s decision to join Alma comes on the heels of one of the greatest football careers an Inland Lakes player has ever had, as he helped lead the program to four Ski Valley 8-Player Conference championships, two regional titles, and a state runner-up finish in 2023.
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As a senior quarterback, he rushed for 1,612 yards and 24 touchdowns, while also passing for 944 yards and 20 touchdowns. Defensively, he made 45 tackles and intercepted two passes as a safety. Fenstermaker’s excellent final season allowed him to be recognized as a first team all-stater again.
“It helped me tremendously. Playing football for that long with the same group of kids makes me play so much better,” Fenstermaker said. “The coaches were great. Mr. (Travis) Meyer and my assistant coaches helped me out. Indian River is like one big family, and so is Alma.”
As for where he’ll play at Alma, Fenstermaker said safety is the likely position. But just to have the opportunity to play college football means to the world to someone who’s made it happen at all levels.
“It’s not going to be easy to take off the blue and put on a Scots jersey, but it’s going to be awesome,” Fenstermaker said. “Going on to the next level is crazy stuff.”
Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf atjgreenleaf@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter@sportsCDT
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